Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. I want to briefly respond to Senator Norris's point. I would obviously bow to Senator Norris in matters of English grammar and I am happy to withdraw amendment No. 86 in any case to see if I can draft it a little more elegantly so I apologise for that.

None of these provisions ties hands in terms of gender balance but in the same way as our 2012 political quota legislation, they are simply opportunity quotas that seek to ensure that more women will be put forward as candidates but not to determine who will ultimately be selected as candidates.

On ranking, we will agree to differ but it has been suggested by those who have been critical of the current Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, JAAB, process and who want to move away from political patronage because ranking ensures that there is a clearer indication from the external independent body as to who are the most meritorious candidates.