Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Warfield in wishing everyone a happy Pride in the week that is in it and commend him on his work on conversion therapy.

I second the motion put forward by my colleague, Senator Humphreys, seeking to adjourn Committee Stage of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill and providing that the Seanad will not take Committee Stage until we have received and considered the unpublished report from the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption, GRECO. We need time to allow us to consider the Government's response, if any, to the report. As Senator Humphreys stated, it is essential that we see the text of the GRECO report and the Government's response to it in advance of our debate on the amendments to this important legislation.

I raised this matter in the House on Tuesday, as did Senator Boyhan and others who expressed concern. We are effectively being asked to legislate in the dark without sight of the Government's amendments or what it proposes to do in response to serious criticisms. GRECO has expressed significant concerns about the composition of the judicial appointment's commission, as proposed in the Bill. It also considers that the proposals represent a move that is not in line with European standards. This is a very serious critique of the proposals that are being driven through government like a speedy chariot by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. This is not a good way to legislate. We should be able to see the report and the Government's response. We should also be able to see what the Government proposes to do by way of amendments. We were in the dark during Second Stage when we did not have sight of any of this. On behalf of the Labour group, I have submitted 20 amendments to the Bill without prejudice. I am hopeful we will have time to be able to consider the GRECO criticisms before we debate them.