David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The intention of the amendment is to remove lines 20 and 21 so that lay member means a layperson who is a member of the commission and includes a chairperson. This is to get rid of the definition of "lay member" from the Bill and to stop an outrageous situation. It is the particular idea of the Minister, Deputy Ross, that there should not only be a majority of laypeople but also that the chairperson should be a layperson. It revolts the intelligence that this should happen. I do not see any reason, in a professional situation, one excludes the majority of the members of the profession from making the decision, including the chairperson. It is some kind of wild Stepaside notion.