Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----the late Gráinne O'Neill, Deirdre Gearty, Leonie Reynolds and Mary Devins. It is important we acknowledge that the Judiciary is independent of Government and that, thus far, all judges, male and female, have been appointed on merit.

Many Members of the Oireachtas have used this debate to attack the Judiciary. Some of them are interested only in progressing personal vendettas against the Judiciary. Ireland has a Judiciary that is equal or better than many others in Europe. It is made up of people with integrity and independence and has served the State well. I, for one, and my Fine Gael Party have always supported our Judiciary.

Whichever system we use to appoint judges, I believe we will continue to have a capable and independent Judiciary. Let us sort out the difficulties and anomalies in the Bill and move it on. I ask the Minister to consider the composition of the commission before Report Stage. I agree with Senator Bacik on the issue of having 17 members. I am not arguing that the chair of the commission must be a judge. However, judges should not be discriminated against or precluded from serving as chair.