The committee will suspend for one minute where we are going into private session to discuss a single item of housekeeping.
Business of Select Committee
Can I just ask about the Report Stage amendments?
Yes.
It is a procedural matter. There is a number of bodies of work that we said the Minister is going to direct. Is there a facility for us to amend those amendments if they do not tick the boxes? We cannot anticipate the Minister. Does the Chairman know what I mean? How do we deal with that? We can put in amendments now to the Bill, as amended by the committee, but the Department has agreed to undertake a body of work around two substantive issues. Can we subsequently amend those amendments if we are not happy with them or how does that work?
It is a procedural issue.
In the spirit of compromise that was much in evidence here this morning, is there a means of meeting the Deputy's concerns in that regard?
Let us see what we can do, having regard to what the Chairman states about the spirit of compromise, which, of course, works both ways. We will make contact with the Deputies.
I could be wrong here but my assumption is that the Deputies will perhaps resubmit amendments in largely similar form to those on Committee Stage. I take the Chairman's point regarding short notice but short notice cannot be at the expense of due notice. We will need a bit of time. I would hope that we could deal with Report Stage before the summer recess. Maybe, if my officials make contact with the clerk to the committee, we can work something out.
If I could just indicate, there is a precedent. The Minister's predecessor and officials engaged and worked directly with other members of the committee present in plurality. It works to the benefit of the best possible legislation that will ultimately present.
We will make contact with the clerk to the committee on the matter.
Report Stage would not be a matter for the clerk to the committee. That would only be on Committee Stage. It is not beyond the compass of an official, if not the Minister, to directly engage with the members who are-----
I am not looking to put any extra work on anybody. It was really to enable the smooth passage of the Bill. We can put in the old amendments or we can anticipate what the Minister's changes will be and seek to amend them.
We will work something satisfactory, if we can, through the clerk to the committee.
In the spirit of what we are outlining.
The Chairman said "short notice". Will we be told of the deadline for when we must have the amendments in?
Is the Minister not in a position to give us any indication on that at this point in time? The Minister stated he would like to get this to Report Stage before the summer recess.
I am in the hands of the Business Committee in terms of scheduling. I am not sure; perhaps the clerk to the committee could send a message to the Business Committee that it is the wish of the committee to have matters dealt with.
I think we all would love to get it passed by the summer-----
-----but there is a minimum requirement. We are just worried. It was that, by the Chairman stating to get them in without delay, that we were wondering what that meant. There will have to be a notice sent stating to get them in by Friday. We will not just walk out of here and come up with a date.
That is not the case.
We will make contact with Deputies.
That is grand.
I myself need an element of notice on these issues.
We all would love to see it passed by the summer.
All right.
Let us make contact with the Business Committee. Of course, I would be happy to accommodate Deputies Wallace and Clare Daly.
That is a very welcome development in political cohesion here across these Houses.
Can I say further, briefly, a matter was raised in the House at plenary session last night during the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill by Deputy Clare Daly with reference to another Bill that has been important to this committee, the coroners (amendment) Bill. I did not have an opportunity of replying to questions raised by Deputy Daly last night because of the orders of the House. It would not have been appropriate. I would not have been allowed.
I would like to take this opportunity, by way of intervention in the Chairman's presence, to say to the committee that I am keen to advance matters on the coroners (amendment) Bill, that I have had a meeting with the Attorney General on this issue, that matters are proceeding, and I would be happy to keep the committee informed and would be happy to keep Deputy Daly informed having regard to her expressed interest in this issue.
While it is a priority, it is one of a number of priorities, as the Chairman is aware, that are matters of importance to the committee and in the justice area. I have taken careful note of submissions made by Deputy Daly and I have met the Attorney General. I hope to be in a position to report progress on this matter very shortly.
As I have the Minister here it would be remiss of me not to mention this matter. The committee is aware that on 1 December last year, which is seven months ago, a judicial appointments Bill that passed Second Stage came here for Committee Stage but we never got the money message. Seven months later we still have not received the money message. Another judicial appointments Bill is going through the Dáil, as we see on the screens in front of us. Will the Minister let the committee know when will the money message for the Bill be delivered?
Does the Minister has any further comments to make?
I will make inquiries on that.
I thank the Minister for his attendance. I understand the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality will meet with him in the afternoon.
The select committee went into private session at 10.45 a.m. and adjourned at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Thursday, 29 June 2017.