Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

Perhaps I might ask the Minister the rationale behind this. We are setting up an independent commission comprising Members of both Houses which will be all-party or as representative as possible, presumably on a pro rata basis. Yet at the same time, from the point of view of authorising legal representation and advice at a certain stage, the decision must go back to the relevant House. On the one hand we are setting up an independent commission and trying to invest it with as much power as possible. It is to all intents and purposes autonomous, except in certain respects. Yet at the same time, from the point of view of authorising legal advice, one must go back to the Seanad in the case of a Senator and the Dáil in the case of a Deputy.