Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

-----because of vacancies and inadequacies in the 2007 Bill. Let us be absolutely clear about that - that is what we are doing. My view, which I believe is correct, is that we should extend the pool of qualified people from which a choice can be made by the independent group who will make that choice. I do not believe a choice between only five people, when we do not know whether all of them will apply for the position in any case, is adequate to ensure that a person of appropriate calibre is selected.

I do not expect the two gentlemen on my right will accept anything I say but hope Senator Mullen will accept my good faith in this. I appreciate he had concerns and am deliberately addressing them-----