Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Strong cases have been made by Senators McDowell and Ward. This area is not my focus, which tends to be on human rights representation and the very important layperson's perspective. I have always been an advocate in general, in all areas of public service, for 360° references, whereby not just those who have worked above a person but also those who have worked below and alongside him or her would give references. I think that is a great idea and there is something to be said for those who have argued cases before judges and have that sense of how it works. For me, the proposal to expand the numbers is the key in this context. I do not think 11 is too onerous a number to allow the commission to perform its functions. It is important we do not erode the lay persons' votes but some strong arguments have been made.