Tony Kett (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister, Deputy McDowell, to the House. That he is one of the most frequent ministerial visitors to this House is an indication of the amount of legislative work he is doing. The legal system is central to the notion of what it is to work in a civilised society because it impacts on all our lives in one way or another. The Bill before the House will amend the operation of the system we have in this country, which has served us very well. The demands and pressures of society bring about a need for change in any legal system. It is only right that this legislation is being brought forward. We are fortunate to have a Judiciary which is held in great respect for its integrity, fair-mindedness and independence. It would be wrong of the Government to sit on its laurels and refuse to examine the needs and requirements of society. Certain measures should be put in place in the legal system to reflect these needs and requirements.

Senator Jim Walsh said that the purpose of the Bill is to increase the statutory maximum number of High Court judges from 26 to 28. I believe that a previous Bill raised the number from 24 to 26 in 2000. We are here to change the provisions once more. The Minister has stated that the system needs to be examined in order to see what can be done about it. This need has arisen from the recent absence of Ms Justice Laffoy from the scene. It is right that a judge of the High Court should take on the mantle of chairman of the inquiry into child abuse. A person of some standing should be in charge of such an important inquiry. Senator Walsh said that this Bill demonstrates the commitment of the Minister and the Government to the outcome of the inquiry.