Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Bacik. Of course she did not make any reference to any persons who might not be suitably qualified. I expect and am of the view that what is in section 12 is sufficient. If there are issues that arise in the context of the debate, I would be happy to engage further.

Senator Craughwell outlined a hypothetical example such as one of the persons involved in the commission being a candidate.Of course, I expect that in the normal course of events that person would excuse himself or herself from the process and that that would be within the practice and procedure of the commission in terms of its standing orders or the manner in which it does its business. I would regard any such candidate as having a conflict of interest that might, in effect, contaminate the entire process. Common sense and good practice and procedure will obtain. That is why we have the independent Public Appointments Service, a body that employs the highest standards of practice and procedure in the manner it does its duties and is very much beyond reproach and a leader in recruitment. It has ensured the type of independence that both Houses of the Oireachtas have regarded as essential in the context of public appointments in recent times. It is the appropriate body to engage in the selection process for members of the commission while remaining independent of the Government and objective in analysis and complying with the rigorous formula set out in the Bill.