Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

We are discussing the nomination of candidates for the European Parliament elections. The Electoral Act 1997 sets out membership of a constituency commission, as follows:

(a) (i) a judge of the Supreme Court, or

(ii) following consultation with the President of the High Court, a judge of the High Court, nominated by the Chief Justice, who shall be the chairperson of the Commission,

(b) the Ombudsman,

(c) the Secretary of the Department of the Environment,

(d) the Clerk of the Dáil, and

(e) the Clerk of the Seanad.

While we might not agree with the commission, we value its independence — I have been saying that all afternoon. I put the case that we accept in its entirety the work and results of the commission.