Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to disturb Senators in any way but I am on record as having said that I will be coming back on Report Stage with appropriate provisions in respect of dealing with section 44 appointments. I am giving appropriate consideration as to whether it might be expanded and further developed. I want a framework for dealing with what may be regarded as the three most senior appointments. Whatever precise arrangement is arrived at, I will ensure that all the appropriate criteria will necessarily apply to all posts. I am not minded to table an amendment at this stage but I am very keen to examine, in detail, the Bill as amended on Committee Stage. I will then proceed to Government with the issues which I regard as outstanding. I will bring a message from Senators relating to certain points which we have spent some time discussing. I am minded to deal distinctly with senior appointments.

I am very keen to reach a position of finality on what precisely is meant by senior appointments, in the knowledge that specific reference is made in section 44 to what constitutes the top three. All the necessary criteria should, of necessity, apply to all posts and they will do. I will come back on Report Stage in response to the very strong representations made by Senator McDowell and others regarding senior appointments.