David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on amendment No. 24. I am delighted we have reached it. As Senator McDowell stated, we collapsed the argument on earlier amendments in order to ensure it was reached before the guillotine. The whole intention of the Minister, Deputy Ross, was to limit the power of the Government in terms of the advice it gives to the President on the appointment of judges. Amendment No. 24 states, "Nothing in this Act shall be construed as limiting the power of the Government". To the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, I say "well done" and "congratulations". I am old enough to remember his wonderful late father and the way he went through County Laois with a placard on the front of his car which stated "Here comes Oliver" and another on the back stating "There goes Oliver". Well, here comes Charlie and there goes Charlie. He has done a damn good job. He has filleted the Bill of the Minister, Deputy Ross. He has destroyed it. He has left it in shreds. I would love to see the face of the Minister, Deputy Ross, when this banana skin lands under his right foot, or under his right hoof, I should say.