Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has referred to the 17-person commission. He stated it would not be unwieldy and likened it to the Cabinet and all of the people who sit at the Cabinet table. I remind him that many of the people who are in Cabinet are in the same political party and consequently, in a sense are whipped into a certain position. Therefore, his comparison is inaccurate.

I ask the Minister to refer to the diversity issue. Last week, I spoke about diversity at length. I ask him to suggest to this House ways that the Department could support people who undertake traineeships, whether they are trainee solicitors or barristers. Such support would allow people from different backgrounds to enter the profession in the first place and then be in a position to become judges in due course. Has the Minister information on the matter? Will his Department sponsor scholarships or bursaries for people from minority backgrounds to receive training?