Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was dealing with the report of GRECO. I am very pleased that Senators have had an opportunity to give consideration to the report in the context of where we are in the debate. Having read the GRECO report in its entirety and its earlier drafts, as I did, it seems clear that the Bill before us increases judicial independence rather than attempting to reduce it. The Bill proposes a reduced number of names coming to Government, the inclusion of all judicial promotions, which is currently done outside the appointments board process, and a reduced role of Government in the selection of the lay members of the commission, which will be now done by the Public Appointments Service, PAS. The PAS will nominate the appointees to Government, and this will be done independent-----