David Norris (Independent)

I will not be tedious on this matter. However, it is instructive that the Minister of State himself instinctively used the word "appointed". I am sure if he were prosecuting a case in court he would make hay with that fact. The current wording is perhaps a coyness on the part of Government which does not like to admit too openly that it appoints people to the Seanad. Linguistically, "nominating" usually means putting a name forward. The Taoiseach actually has the power to do considerably more than that as he or she appoints Members. I will not push it but the Minister of State, by instinctively turning to the word "appointed", makes that point effectively for us. Perhaps at some later stage in this legislation we can consider this again. From a practical point of view, I know there is not a snowball's chance in hell of this Bill going back to the Dáil, especially on a small point such as this, so there is no point in wasting time.