Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----in this particular case. It is not breaching Cabinet cabinet confidentiality to answer that. Were expressions of interest made and, if so, to whom were they made and how were they processed? That is the first question. The next question is did the successful applicant make an expression of interest and, if so, when was that made and to whom? If she did not make an expression of interest, I can only presume that somebody approached her, asking her whether she was interested in the particular position. If that is the case, when did that happen and who made that approach? My final question is about the phone call last Sunday night between Deputy Micheál Martin and the Taoiseach. Is it the opinion of the current Minister for Justice and Equality that a phone call of that nature is an attempt to influence the judicial process in terms of appointing a judge? Is it legal or illegal to do so?

See this speech in context