David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 103c:

In page 36, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following:

“54. Where the Procedures Committee prepares a statement of requisite skills and attributes for submission to the Commission under this Part, the statement so prepared shall include a statement setting out the approach to be taken in determining for the purposes of section 7(1) of this Act what constitutes merit and shall, for that purpose, indicate any criteria other than those set out at subsection (6)(a) to (c) of section 53.”.

This is about merit. We have heard a great deal about merit, diversity and other things and about the absolute necessity for judges to be appointed on merit, on which we all agree. Senator McDowell's amendment would give the procedures committee the capacity to examine what is meant by "merit" and how it is reflected in the appointment of judges. It is very important that judges are appointed strictly on merit alone. Merit includes knowledge of the law and a capacity to determine things. It is a very important criterion, to which the Minister has paid adequate tribute throughout the debate. I understand that Senator Boyhan will withdraw the amendment but that it will be reinstated on Report Stage by Senator McDowell. It is a very important amendment that deals directly, clearly and cogently with merit and it is very significant.