Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 91:

In page 39, subsection (1), lines 10 and 11, to delete "3 members, all of whom are" and substitute "one member who is".

Why has there been a departure from the good precedent set by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman? There is only one holder of that office, which has proved highly effective. It is probably too effective from the Minister's perspective in that he is proposing three appointments. The Minister will set out a list of reasons the commission should only comprise three individuals instead of one. Having examined the experience in Northern Ireland, the Minister's proposal will dilute the proposed office, rendering it less strident in discharging its functions and, consequently, less effective.