Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very grateful to the Minister. He took me by surprise on the last occasion by acceding to the amendment we tabled in respect of the superior courts. Rather than delay the House we did not debate it. This may have implications for other bits of the Bill which will have to be revisited on Report Stage. I will go no further than that.

This amendment simply proposes to insert the word "experience" into section 50 as one of the qualities or characteristics making up the definition of "requisite skills and attributes". The related amendments do likewise elsewhere in the Bill. In my view that is one of the deficiencies of Part 8 of the Bill. It does not really bring experience, which I consider to be of great significance, into play in determining a person's suitability for recommendation for judicial office.