Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the last point raised by Senator Ivana Bacik, it could be argued that section 15(7) deals with the commission continuing to function, notwithstanding the fact that there is a vacancy in its membership, but it appears that section 18(2) is mandatory. I do not know what kind of person would go through the business of applying to the Public Appointments Commission, being vetted and then being approved by the Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, serving for two or three weeks when the process was over. One would need to be a very determined person to do so.