Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think we are all agreed that there is not just a need for a judicial council but also that it is the right thing to put it in place. Both the Executive and the Judiciary are agreed on that. I am delighted that Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality made a recent statement on this matter. It is included in the legislative programme and there will be a Bill in this session. We currently have a Judicial Appointments Advisory Board which submits names. We have to be somewhat cautious, however. While we can have statements, and I am sure the Leader would agree to allow them, I am not too sure we could have them today. Senators McDowell and Boyhan have tabled an item on the agenda that we should discuss the matter of a judicial council. I therefore ask the Leader to allow statements, but I cannot see how we can have them immediately. I think we should be slightly cautious by arranging for such statements in early course but leaving it to the Leader's discretion to arrange for the Minister to attend the House if possible.