David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I have just seen this and there is some movement. I would make three points. I recognise that the Minister of State cannot answer because she is not directly concerned with them but I ask her to convey these points to the Minister directly and ask her to contact me.

The first point is the statement that the panel were selected on the basis of their experience. The experience of this gentleman is of defending the criminal, and that surely is a conflict of interest.

The Minister of State then said that if there is any conflict or potential conflict the particular counsel will not only not be involved in the particular case, but will also not be aware of which counsel is reviewing it. She failed to say that this particular case meets those considerations. She does not actually say that in this case there is a conflict of interest that will be addressed.

The final point concerns the Minister of State's statement that whatever steps are necessary will be taken to ensure there is no conflict of interest. I welcome that but again there is no statement that in this case these steps will be taken. I ask the Minister of State to get the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, to contact me to assure me that such steps will be taken in this case.