Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I firmly state that whether through the JAAB process, or otherwise, to my knowledge there has not been any undue interference in the process as has been alleged by people outside this House. Senator McDowell has spoken about the importance of preserving the independence of the process to the extent that this new commission might be entirely bypassed. That might well be the case. Under our Constitution, it is absolutely essential that the independence of appointments is fully subscribed to and recognised. We have had a JAAB process for in excess of 20 years and I do not believe, in the context of any appointments of members to the Bar or the profession of solicitor, that there was any case in which the Government disregarded the advice of the JAAB. I acknowledge, as other Senators will also do, including Senator McDowell, a former Minister for Justice and a former occupier of the pivotal office of Attorney General, that the JAAB process was never bypassed.