Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No. In short, I am not minded to accept any amendment that would in any way circumvent the judicial appointments commission. That is the import of amendment No. 86c. Indeed, I can say the same about amendment Nos. 86a to 86e, inclusive. I am not in favour of the approach taken in the amendment. I do not believe we should have the type of channel, be it a front channel or a back channel, envisaged in the amendment. I do not believe it is appropriate that representations or communications in the form of representations might be made, whether it is canvassing, reverse canvassing or otherwise. It is important that the provisions applicable to this commission be honoured throughout the Bill. That is the big change from the current process where members of the Judiciary who wish to be considered do so in a way that is outside the appointments process. One of the main policy planks of this new Bill is to ensure a measure of transparency, that is, by ensuring that everyone who wishes to be considered for appointment to the court would do so through the channel that is the format expressed in the Bill. I am not minded to go outside that process, be it a word in the ear, a tap on the shoulder or an informal communications channel. I am not minded, therefore, to accept the amendment.