Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is within the context of section 11 that I will come back, having regard to the fact that this is a part-time position, and that there will be terms and conditions around services, allowances and expenses, and that if there is a fund it will be limited. I do not envisage a situation that we have seen in the public service where a training voucher is given to equip someone to qualify as a barrister and applying those funds for that purpose. That is not what Senator Higgins is speaking about here. This is to ensure people are in a position to be knowledgeable, up to speed, and in a position to make a decision in the best interests of the both the letter and spirit of the legislation. I will come back to that and I thank Senator Higgins for deferring. Senator Norris makes an important point about the persons whom this training might be applicable to or useful for.