David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister queried it. I have some nodding acquaintance with English so I know what I am talking about. He queried it.

The editorial also states, "It will simply mean that the recommendations for appointment to the judiciary will be made by a body which does not have the necessary expertise or experience to make informed recommendations." That makes it an absolute obligation on this House to go through the Bill with a fine-tooth comb. As the editorial, which appeared in one of our most influential newspapers, states, it does exactly the reverse of what the Government purports it will do. Let me give the second reason we should go into the Bill in so much detail. The editorial states authoritatively, "this Bill was drafted on the basis of no serious research, analysis or international comparisons."

The first reason is that the Bill will do exactly the reverse of what it sets out to do. That means this House has an absolute obligation to hold it up as much as it can, scrutinise it and expose it to the most ruthless dissection. The second reason is that the Bill was produced on the basis of "no serious research, analysis or international comparisons". The editorial suggests that the Minister's Cabinet colleagues should find their courage and tell him to take the Bill back to the drawing board, whether or not it means the resignation of Senator Ross.