Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There are a number of points in respect of section 28 that I would like to deal with. I notice that in section 28(1)(a) the section is stated to apply to the commission, the procedures committee or any other committee of the commission. Is it possible under the terms of the Bill, as it stands, for someone to be or to have been a member of the procedures committee, or any other committee of the commission, who was not a member of the commission itself? Is co-option permissible under this? It seems to me that a person is either a member of the commission or is not a member of the commission. Unless it is suggested that people can be co-opted onto the committees, then it is very hard to see how every word after "a member of the Commission" is relevant. Perhaps I am mistaken about that but I have not seen procedure for co-opting people onto it. It seems to me that there is a mistake in the drafting there.