Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not accept the amendment for two reasons. I will not do anything, nor would I encourage anybody to do anything, that might in any way encroach upon the independence of the commission. If there are issues of merit in the submission made by Senator McDowell in support of this amendment, they would be properly dealt with by the commission. Having regard to its independence, I am reluctant to build in any ministerial direction. Under the legislation as drafted, we have participation on the commission by representatives of all the courts so that the issues referred to by Senator McDowell can be dealt with by dint of the independence of the commission and having regard to the attendance at the commission of the presidents of all the courts.