Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note with interest that Senator McDowell warns himself against straying into further amendments and then proceeds to do so for a period of approximately 15 minutes. However, on the point at issue here in respect of the section under discussion, we are on Committee Stage. In the event of the Bill being amended substantially later, we can of course revisit the sections under discussion on Report Stage. Having been invited to make comment on later amendments, let me remind Senator McDowell of my disposition earlier in the legislation's progress, on Second Stage in the Dáil, when the Bill was very much reflective of Government policy and when I had in mind the existence of a senior judicial appointments committee which would deal exclusively with the three senior appointments of the Chief Justice, President of the High Court, and President of the Court of Appeal. Senators will be aware that concept did not survive Committee Stage in the Dáil. I attempted to garner sufficient support on Report Stage in the Dáil for the reintroduction of such a body, but that again was defeated. I indicated on Second Stage here in the Seanad that I was disposed towards looking at a type of configuration that would deal with the three top appointees for judicial office. I note that Senator McDowell has included that in his later amendment and has, in fact, broadened it considerably. I am reasonably favourably disposed towards it. I hope that we can invite other Senators to participate in the debate at that stage. I do not want to pre-empt a debate for later on but I assure Senator McDowell that in the event of an amending formula being found later in the course of Seanad deliberations on the Bill, we can revisit the section under discussion now at the stroke of a pen, as the Senator well knows.