Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This section is headed "Confidential Information". I think I am right in saying that most but not all the amendments to the section were Government amendments. I will wait for quiet in the Chamber.

We have not yet had an opportunity to debate the section itself and I wish to take up a few points that were raised on the previous dates on 6 and 8 November by Senator McDowell and if I may, some of the Minister's responses. I should have started by welcoming the Minister to the House.

On section 27, Senator McDowell has spoken in particular on the implicit principle within it that it should be a criminal offence for the Attorney General to disclose to the Cabinet the names of judges who applied for promotion but were unsuccessful. That has been the kernel of the issue that has been raised in terms of the debate on the section. I hope I am not misstating what Senator McDowell has said, but I know he has put forward the point that-----