Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator McDowell for coming up with a very practical proposal in this amendment. As he and Senator Norris have said, it is an unusual amendment, but this is an unusual Bill, of which we are all very conscious. It seems eminently practical to give the Oireachtas another chance to review an order before it can come into effect. Otherwise it would have an incredibly cumbersome effect on the process of judicial appointment. I am struck by Senator McDowell's commentary on the judges who have been appointed, both recently and since this Government took office in 2016. The quality and calibre of judicial appointments is such that one wonders what this new and more cumbersome process would add. I favour reform and my party supported Deputy O'Callaghan's Bill in the Dáil, but I do not believe this is the appropriate, best or most effective reform possible. I, my party, and many others in this House have significant difficulties with many aspects of the reform proposed by the Minister. This is a good compromise proposal. Even if the Bill is passed before the next election, there would nonetheless be an extra check on its coming into effect, because this amendment would empower the Houses of the Oireachtas to have a say on its commencement. That seems a sensible and practical compromise.