Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I can do it reasonably briefly. Section 7 is divided into two subsections, the first of which states that, "A decision to recommend, under this Act, a person for appointment to judicial office shall be based on merit." Subsection (2) states, "Subject to subsection (1), where the function, under this Act, of selecting and recommending persons for appointment to a judicial office falls to be performed, regard shall be had to—(a) the objective that the membership of the judiciary should comprise equal numbers of men and women, (b) the objective that the membership of the judiciary should, to the extent feasible and practicable, reflect the diversity within the population as a whole," and, (c), the provision relating to the Irish language. Section 53(5) states, "In the preparation of the statement referred to in subsection (1)(a), the Procedures Committee shall, amongst other matters, have regard to— (a) the critical importance of the selection procedures, in filling vacancies in judicial office, to the administration of justice, (b) the need for adherence to recognised best practice standards in recruitment processes for judicial and other related offices, (c) the objective that the membership of the judiciary should comprise equal numbers of men and women,"-----