Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I will make a brief point. I notice the Leader is in the House. This is an important issue and it is important legislation. I wonder if the Leader would consider the possibility of extending this debate to ensure we are not guillotined on such important legislation to do with our Defence Forces. I ask that the debate might be adjourned if we run short of time today. Members are raising in good faith important issues to do with transparency and the judicial system within the Defence Forces. I take the opportunity to ask the Leader to give some thought to that suggestion before the bell goes on this debate.

Arising from what Senator Coghlan stated, it must be understood that everybody in this House is in favour of widening the pool. Were the amendment to reduce the required years of service from ten to eight to be accepted, it would benefit about five legal offices and make them eligible in those circumstances, but I understand, and this is the key point, that under what the Minister is proposing there would be about ten to 12 people eligible for this post within the Defence Forces. That is the figure we must focus on because these appointments often come from within but what we are all agreed on is that the pool should be widened dramatically. The eligible pool under what I am proposing would be something of the order of 5,000 if we were to count all the practising barristers and solicitors with the requisite years of experience.