Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the principle behind my amendment could be addressed by including the words "shall be deemed to be recommended to any judicial office of the same type where the vacancy arises within three years" or something of that nature in the Bill. I would be happy to go along with such a wording. The principle of what I am talking about, however, is, again, to make the system work. It is intended to prevent the Bill, if enacted, from reducing the process of appointment to the Judiciary to a constant beauty contest whereby applicants must keep applying and competing for inclusion a shortlist against unknown new personnel from the Bar, as well as solicitors. If applicants fall off the edge of the list in that situation, their eligibility for appointment is then deemed to have gone.That is wrong. The principle of my amendment is eminently commonsensical.