Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Government bows down in acceptance of the Bill against the muted hostility of its Members in this House, as explained to the media. I do not expect the Minister, Deputy Zappone, to resign in protest at the way the Government has shabbily treated this issue, but I object to the way the Minister, Deputy Ross, has come in here since, having established a group. The Minister, Deputy Ross, insisted on being in the group and then contributed nothing to its proceedings, except to try to obstruct my being made chairman of it. He made no constructive suggestions on the subject whatsoever at any point that I can recall. The Minister, Deputy Ross, can have his way on judicial appointments but this piece of major reforming legislation is thrown in the wastepaper bin by this Government.