Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

While the evaluation function will not be overridden, it does not get the Minister off the hook to say that it is purely assistance. If there is such an evaluation process, it goes utterly to the heart of this legislation that decent men and women seeking appointment to the Bench will be asked to be evaluated by third parties as to their suitability.The third parties are the persons, appointed consultants or advisers who are to provide evaluations of candidates' suitability. That is what is envisaged. I note that the Leader has some difficulty with it, but that is what this is intended to do. It is intended that there will be a class of contractors, advisers or consultants who will carry out evaluations of would-be appointees to the Bench. To look at the other side, if one is interested in becoming a judge, not only is one being asked to submit to the processes to which we will eventually come and the procedures in the procedure committee's statement of policy or whatever else, one is also being asked to submit to the potential evaluation of one's suitability by a person who is not even a member of the commission. That is wrong and shameful. It really is lazy-minded stuff which should not be countenanced. It marries with the matter I was raising with the Minister, on which I have not yet received any straight answer. I will reiterate the question and I am entitled to an answer.