Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It was a change of lines. I would like to see both measures included. There is still the Seanad in terms of effecting change. That said, the Government has to a large extent accepted paragraph (c). I will consider the issue further. I would like to see the Irish language proficiency retained but I also think the reference to diversity is important. I wish to emphasise that this is not a huge ask. Deputy Daly's analogy was very good. Such an approach is very sensible because just as quotas did not put women in the Dáil or Seanad, they put them on the ballot paper and gave the public the final say in that regard.

In the same manner, this is not going to do anything other than put people who further, rather than comprehensively satisfy, the objective of the diversity principle on the short list. That makes sense and is reasonable. The opportunity will then exist to evaluate all the people who will have satisfied the merit principle. I will consider further whether to press this amendment. It is my strongly held view that the Minister should take this point on board but I am also anxious to ensure that there is proficiency in the Irish language among the Judiciary.

As to supporting the Bill, I have made it clear on the public record that Sinn Féin views this Bill and the Judicial Council Bill as a package. We want to see progress in the reform of the Judiciary generally and we want to see the introduction of sentencing guidelines. Our position on the final vote is still being considered and depends on a number of factors. It is important to reform the independent appointment of the Judiciary process. Fianna Fáil may have its own reasons for opposing changes in the judicial appointments system.

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