Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of these amendments is to ensure that certain matters can be addressed more expeditiously than others following the establishment of the judicial council. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 provide that both the judicial studies committee and the personal injuries guidelines committee will be required to meet not later than three months following the first meeting of the council. The provision in the Bill as passed by this House was for all of the committees to meet not later than six months after the first council meeting. Having reflected upon the matter, I agreed with the proposal that a shorter period is appropriate for these two committees, which do not involve lay membership, and the consequent need to ensure time for the Public Appointments Service, PAS, process to be brought to a conclusion.

In addition, the amendment in respect of the personal injuries guidelines committee means that it will be able formally to begin its work earlier than might otherwise have been possible. By virtue of amendment No. 3, that committee will now have six months, as opposed to 12, within which to bring its work to a conclusion and submit draft guidelines to the board of the judicial council. This is an ambitious and challenging timeframe, but I have no doubt that the committee will be able to rise to the challenge. I am conscious of the need for it to be adequately resourced if it is to carry out its function in a proper manner.

These are straightforward amendments which seek to ensure a greater level of urgency in the setting up of certain committees provided for in the Bill.