Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment, which proposes to insert the words "a minority of" to refer to the provision for persons of a lay character which is contained in the Title. Clearly, this is a crucial amendment because it is to be read in conjunction with the overall approach being taken to the Bill. Amendment No. 7 tabled by the Minister defines a layperson as one who "does not hold, and has never held, judicial office, (b) is not, and never has been, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief State Solicitor or a law officer, (c) is not, and ... was not, a practising barrister or a practising solicitor". It strikes me that this would copper-fasten the approach that has been put forward in advancing the Bill. It is unfortunate.

Senator Norris was uncharacteristically coy in not naming the person driving the Bill. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, in advancing the Bill and driving it forward is engaging in the sort of unfortunate anti-elitist rhetoric exhibited in Britain by Michael Gove, who stated-----