Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Senators McDowell, Noone and Mulherin regarding the issue of judicial appointments, the Bill is in gestation. I note the remarks of the Law Society this morning. It has changed its position and is now in support of at least having a lay majority on the judicial appointments commission. I know this puts it at a difference with the Bar Council. What is important, irrespective of one's viewpoint, is that we have been well served by our Judiciary. At the core of that is an independence that we must ensure is preserved. I agree with Senator McDowell and others who have spoken that there must be a continuation of excellence in regard to our Judiciary. In tandem with that, its independence must be maintained and preserved. We have been well served by our Judiciary and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House in that regard.

Senators O'Sullivan, Ó Donnghaile and Feighan referred to issues relating to the North and the Assembly. On Senator Ó Donnghaile's comments, to be fair I do not think Senator O'Sullivan was lecturing. He was saying what many people are thinking, that the elections are now over. A mandate has been given to all political parties in the North to enter into government in the Assembly at Stormont and to act responsibly on behalf of all people in the North of our country. That is the point that I took from Senator O'Sullivan and that is the point that I would make as Leader of the House and as somebody who is as committed as anybody to seeing the peace process continue. In the words of former US President Clinton last week, our legacy must be to ensure that the peace is brought home. It is important that, irrespective of whether it is Michelle O'Neill or Arlene Foster or whoever, there is a political responsibility to sit down and to govern on behalf of the people. The last thing that anybody wants to see is direct rule or a further election. That requires all sides to remember that the election is over. It is now time to govern.