Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In that regard, there is a report before the Government which is receiving consideration. There is also a minority report and a dissenting report which is exactly what Senator McDowell is trying to transfer to the new judicial appointments regime. I do not believe in the circumstances that it is in any way desirable for a Government to be provided with a report other than that which the Bill ordains.

Section 15(6) deals with the issue quite precisely where there is no consensus on a question of a meeting of the commission the matter should be determined by a majority of votes. It is best to leave the power and authority with the independent commission and not have circumstances where the Government is in receipt of an official report, a minority report, a dissenting report or another report. That gives rise to the type of difficulty that Senators McDowell and Boyhan wish to avoid.