Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I referred to the "political fraudulence" - which is a legitimate term to use - of suggesting there was cronyism in the appointments made by the Cabinet without this legislation and that the Minister, Deputy Ross, was going to end political involvement in the appointment of judges. The Government, which is referred to in amendment No. 24, is composed of elected politicians acting as a single collective body. Politicians elected to the Government constitute the Executive under the Constitution and have the role making these constitutional choices. This legislation does not alter that position one jot.