Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Norris and McDowell both referred to the situation in Scotland. The amendment in the name of the Independent Senators draws heavily from the Scottish law except that it does not make reference to what appears to me to be an important aspect of the Scottish Act, where it makes quite clear that a portion of the section does not prevent a member of the board, presumably a lay member of the board, from taking part in the decision of the board as to whether to recommend an individual for appointment to an office. Their amendment is more prescriptive than that, insofar as it effectively debars the lay members from participating in the preparation of a statement, which is an important role and function under the new legislation.