Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not engage in repetition but I assure Senators this is a Bill that is proceeding through the Houses in accordance with the priority given to it under the programme for Government. It is reforming legislation that will improve, modernise and update the manner in which members of our Judiciary are appointed, bearing in mind the need to honour the Constitution and the independence of those offices. I say that in response to Senator McDowell.

To Senator Norris, let me repeat that the office will be small and it will be headed by the director appointed by the commission following a selection process undertaken by the Public Appointments Service. The director will have a Civil Service staff of two or three persons. They will be appointed by the commission in accordance with this section. The staffing costs for the support office under this part of the Bill will be for a small number of civil servants and the director. That will be in the region of €300,000, to which will be added non-pay costs, which should bring the annual cost to an estimated €500,000.