Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, asked about the status of No. 25 on the Order Paper, the motion establishing the Joint Committee on Article 35.4.1° and section 39 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924, or the Curtin committee, as it was called. The committee and its membership have ceased to be because the person in question is no longer a judge of the Circuit Court. The motion will be withdrawn by a motion in my name. The committee's report has been prepared and, as stated when the committee was established, the report will be laid before both Houses. The Senator thanked the committee's members.

Despite what happened, the work of the committee is interesting because a roadmap on how to deal with such matters has been laid out and an acceptable template has been put in place. It is good that the committee's hard work and its members' attendance will not have been in vain. It has been proven that a joint committee has the power to impeach a member of the Judiciary. Senator Brian Hayes was right to mention a code of conduct for the Judiciary. Senator Dardis mentioned various measures that are in place or will be rolled out.

Senator Brian Hayes proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, as he is entitled to do. The amendment has been seconded and there will be a vote. I cannot fetch a Minister just like that. While the Senator stated that there would be no need to do so, I have always held that a Minister should be in attendance when we have debates.