Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is extremely important that it be acknowledged. It is also important that Deputy O'Callaghan realise Ministers are not totally and utterly confined to their portfolios. I was elected on a platform, as was the Deputy and he is entitled and duty bound to speak about the issues about which he was elected to speak. The fact that he has landed the justice and equality portfolio does not exclude him from speaking about other issues. I hope he does not regard it as a compulsory muzzle on what he has to say because he says it with great eloquence. However, he speaks with equal eloquence when he speaks in the Four Courts. In what we are discussing he is representing not only the people of his constituency but also the voice of the Law Library. That should be acknowledged by us every time he speaks about this issue, but he does have a vested interest in promoting the interests of the Law Library. I acknowledge, of course, that he is capable of separating that vested interest when he comes into this House, but it should be pointed out that his opposition to the Bill is probably related to his experiences in the Law Library which are very valuable. However, they bring him from a certain perspective in addressing this issue.

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