Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----the availability of a person for judicial appointment when the Cabinet, because the three people put forward are not impressive, asks about Ms Justice so and so? We are now being told by the Minister that the Attorney General will be bound not to tell the Cabinet that the judge in question has applied a number of times, has never featured on a shortlist and, having applied on this occasion, has shown an interest. How can that be right? It is plain wrong and daft. If there were children listening to this debate, they would see how foolish that provision was. The excuse that this is being done in the interest of openness, transparency and a level playing pitch is fantasy. There is nothing open about it; it is secrecy. There is nothing transparent about the result at all since no one is entitled to know who is on the shortlist. There is nothing level about the playing pitch if the Government is entitled to appoint Ms Justice so and so to the Supreme Court but is to be deliberately kept in the dark about the fact that she wants to be appointed and has, on a number of occasions, sought appointment to the Supreme Court because the legislation prevents the Government from knowing that. With respect, that is a huge hole in this Bill.

It is 9 p.m. and we have not reached amendment No. 86c yet.