Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister of State on the need for all-party committees. People need to read the Abbeylara judgment. The Houses still have the potential to do much greater committee and investigative work. While we may not make findings of fact against individuals, we may make clear recommendations on a range of other issues related to policy, outcomes and performance. Too often, the Abbeylara judgment is used as an excuse by committees not to fully investigate matters of public concern which do not necessarily involve making findings of fact against an individual. This is a central argument in terms of the direction in which we will advance.

I am still unhappy with the notion that a serving Minister will appoint members of a commission. Will appointments to a commission be automatic or must they be ratified by the Government as a whole? It would be most dangerous and strange if a Minister were to have the sole power to appoint people to a commission without reference to his Government colleagues. I strayed because we are discussing a large number of amendments together, one of which is related to the section on appointments.