Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----that would have been in the public domain in any event. The idea that the Minister should start justifying appointments by reference to their qualifications is, in my respectful submission, unnecessary. If it were necessary for such information to be officially published by the Government then why not provide that it would be in the notice of appointment in Iris Oifigiúilthat these are the person's professional qualifications and experience?

What is to be the person's professional experience? I know there are now 2,500 barristers, roughly speaking. Most of them will have ten years' practice if they are appointed to any judicial appointment. What is one to say about their experience? Is it that they practised in this court or that court, prosecuted or defended mainly, or specialised in defamation and constitutional matters, administrative law or personal injuries cases? What is the point in setting out particulars of their experience in a report to the Dáil or the Seanad for that matter?

It is usually the case that any document that is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas is liable to be discussed in those Chambers, otherwise there is not much point in laying it before them.