Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I do not agree that there needs to be clarity about what we are asking the council to do. It is being asked to appoint two people. I do not believe any clarity beyond that is required. I reiterate the point I made earlier on the previous experience issue: the reality is that you just have judges; you do not have judges for former solicitors and former barristers. The danger is that when you talk about judges who are former solicitors and former barristers, you do two things. First, you ignore the fact that decades may have passed since they practised in that area. Second, you tell them that they should be batting for, or having consideration for, one or either of those professions, and they should not. They should be acting as judges, which I believe they do. That is why I think it is misguided. However, I do not propose to press the amendment.