Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I put it to Senators McDowell and Norris that in the context of the procedures committee managing a selection or recruitment process, it would appear to be logical and advisable the committee would have access to expertise in the form of an adviser or consultant who may be required to provide a certain level of advice on best practice in the circumstances. I do not see anything alarming or terribly unusual in that. I have cited other bodies for which an amount of expert advice can be made available from time to time, with the consent of the Minister.

The "person" versus consultant argument seems to have exercised Senator Norris. The main purpose is to allow the commission to engage expert advice in the matters of recruitment and selection. A "person" could be a person hired to provide advice on the basis of that person being a temporary employee, on a short-term contract or as an engagement for the time being - depending on the information sought-----