Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator McDowell is being entirely reasonable when he says he would like to see the disposition of the Government as far as amendments are concerned at the earliest opportunity. I acknowledge this and will be happy to accommodate him.

On the more general issue of the filling of vacancies, particularly the three most senior positions, I do not recall in recent times, if ever, a situation where there was a delay or where there was not, on the part of Government, anything but a stated intention to proceed with haste once a vacancy arose. The most recent appointments were carried out in an entirely satisfactory manner. It is architecture along those lines of which I would be thinking in tabling an appropriate amendment on Report Stage, but I would need to secure Government approval. Of course, I would ultimately need the approval of a majority in both Houses.