Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith ag an Tánaiste as an chur i láthair atá déanta aici. There is a degree of unity in the Chamber this evening around the Tánaiste's proposal regarding judicial reviews. We all acknowledge, as the Tánaiste did in her contribution, that the previous process is outdated and no longer fit for purpose. Going back many years, it has been Sinn Féin's position that the issue of judicial appointments needed to be reviewed and changed to become compliant with a more independent ethos. It is the right thing for the Judiciary and for those who find themselves engaging with it. Given that it has been our position, I remind the House of the Reform of Judicial Appointments Procedures Bill 2013, which my colleague, Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn brought before the previous Dáil. Unfortunately, the Government opposed it. However, it is not the time to look back.

There is a degree of heart to be taken from the Tánaiste's acknowledgement in her contribution that she would like to see the independent oversight and the shade of independence in judicial reviews become institutionalised. Is there a timeframe? While we can all get into the nuance of it when it come before us, and no doubt Members will do so, for all the reasons previous speakers outlined, we need to know when it will happen and we need it to be expedited, not in a haphazard way but in a way that brings it to the fore sooner rather than later.