Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to the issue of costs, it will not be anything like €1 million. In fact, it will be more like half that sum.

In response to Deputy Wallace's amendment No. 7a, which I have not had the opportunity to address, a fundamental flaw in the amendment is that he does not include any reference to the Attorney General or to a practising barrister. It seems to me to be somewhat disproportionate at the very least not to have reference to a practising barrister in his amendment.

In response to Deputy O'Callaghan, who said that I had not responded to his amendment or pointed out anything with which I had a difficulty, I merely say it has no lay chairperson, no idea that there will ever be a lay chair and no lay majority. These are two important policy issues from the Government perspective. There is no role for the Public Appointments Service and for the Attorney General. I cannot accept either of the amendments.

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