David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I still believe it is perfectly legitimate for me to say, as Senator Ivana Bacik said before, without interruption, that it is regrettable that we did not have access to the GRECO report before this debate and before the vote. It might have changed things slightly if we had access.

I support to thrust of amendment No. 3 in the name of Senator Ruane. I agree with her that there should be diversity. I remember being in the Dublin District Court and seeing the implementation of what I can only describe as class justice. One had a far greater chance of being convicted and sentenced to jail if one came from a working-class background or certain areas of Dublin, particularly the north inner city. I believe, however, it is a wish that there should be the kind of diversity envisaged because I have not seen any black or Indian judges, nor have I seen any Traveller judges.I believe it is a wish that there should be this kind of diversity, because I have not seen any black or Indian judges and I have not seen any Traveller judges either. Very few judges come from a lower socioeconomic status. If this amendment can increase that quotient then I think that would be extremely good.

I welcome the fact that the Labour Party has decided, under amendment No. 5, to insert:

“(3) A person is employed in the service of the State if he or she is—(a) a member of the Garda Síochána,

(b) a member of the Defence Forces, or

(c) a civil servant in the Civil Service of the Government or the Civil Service of the State.”.

I am not 100% sure that exhausts all the possibilities. That is, of course, always the problem with putting down these kinds of statements of fact and recitals of lists. There is always a possibility that the list is not exhaustive. I would have preferred if we said that a person is employed in the service of the State "if, among other things, he or she is" or "if, among other groups, he or she is" and so on.

I greatly regret having inflamed the Minister once again. I am most penitent.