Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We were considering an amendment which was going to make it part of any statement published under the relevant part of the Bill that no applicant for judicial office shall be questioned, interviewed or required in any way so as to disclose his or her political, religious or ideological beliefs or sexual orientation. What I and my colleagues are intent on achieving by this amendment is the principle that on those issues, the judicial appointments commission when carrying out its function under the legislation should approach it on the basis that those are irrelevant considerations and that the interview process should be entirely blind as to them. I commend the amendment to the House.