Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad that the Minister acknowledges that we are in accord on this matter but I am wondering why it is. I know why I think the judicial appointments commission should not be involved but the Minister will not say why it will not be involved. I am saying that is because the Minister does not trust the commission to come up with the right persons to fill those positions and he is uncomfortable with the idea that the commission would draw up a shortlist for Government. The Minister is of the view that such a shortlist would be inferior to the recommendations of the committee that the Minister originally set out in the Bill. I am merely making the point that the Minister does not trust them to carry out certain functions as well as he trusts the present situation, that is, that the views of senior judges can be taken and the Government can make up its own mind.