David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We apparently want to report significant progress on this so I will be brief. The Minister has enthusiastically drawn our attention to legislation in other jurisdictions, including Scotland, and this amendment mirrors exactly the Scottish legislation. The intention is to ensure that lay members are not assessing part of the formal statement that would govern how to consider an applicant on criteria that those lay members have no capacity, qualifications, experience or anything else to assess. It is a bit silly. I am sure the Minister will be pleased that, in this, we are following the Scottish example.