Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Minister's frustration but currently in any public service or private sector job in respect of which a panel is established for interviews, unsuccessful candidates are given the opportunity to meet again with the panel to discuss where they went wrong. Senator McDowell spoke about a judge or a person who puts himself or herself forward for a judicial appointment and is unsuccessful. At the very least natural justice requires that that person be invited to attend the interview board again to discuss where he or she went wrong such that at the interview he or she can counter what was deemed to be lacking in the previous interview. Natural justice requires that.

In regard to this amendment, I want it on the record of the Seanad because in 20 years' time others will be trying to figure out what was going on in the minds of current Senators in regard to this Bill. I want the Minister to guarantee me tonight that there will never be a trickle down problem or lengthy delays in regard to the filling of vacancies at each of the levels below Chief Justice. In terms of this Bill, the Minister cannot give that guarantee. When the commission has short-listed three people the Government can, if it does not like any of them, appoint somebody else. This Bill does not prevent that either. We have spent approximately 66 hours thus far on this Bill. Why are we still arguing about it?