David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand. I just wanted to make sure that I was not talking about something that had already been addressed.

Section 49(2) states:

In the event that a person appointed to judicial office has not been recommended by the Commission under this Act, the Minister shall within 30 days of that appointment cause to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas a statement containing a reasoned written explanation of the decision of the Government not to nominate a candidate recommended by the Commission.

This is an appalling thing. It is bad enough for somebody not to be recommended but to have this disgrace laid before the public and be told, "Oh, you were not fit because of this, that or the other" is absolutely dreadful. I gather that the Minister agreed because I am very glad to see that amendments Nos. 96 and 97 have asterisks beside them. That indicates the Government has rethought this issue and is now prepared to delete these noxious elements of the Bill so that is something to be welcomed. This is an indication of how co-operation in this House on working on the minutiae of this Bill works.

I shall now discuss another element of the Bill.