Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The motion regarding greyhound racing is a simple referral to the committee and a debate will of course be accommodated once the matter comes back from the committee to the House. A debate will be facilitated on that issue.

As regards the nomination to SIPO, the Government is nominating Mr. Justice Garrett Sheehan and Ms Geraldine Feeney to fill two vacancies which arose in the commission in February, namely, those of chair and of an ordinary member. Notwithstanding that there has been some controversy surrounding the National Association of General Practitioners, the nomination of former Senator Feeney is being made in line with the requirements of the legislation, as is that of Mr. Justice Sheehan. Both candidates bring experience and skills which will benefit the operation of the commission. As set out in section 2(2)(b)(v) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, one of the ordinary members of the commission must be a former Member of a House of the Oireachtas. Former Senator Feeney served in the Seanad between 2002 and 2011 and was seen as a competent person who acted with integrity at all times. I regret some of the comments that have been made in respect of the former Senator. They are not merited.

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