34 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the judicial committee concerning judicial conduct and ethics which has been forwarded to him by the Chief Justice; if he will publish the report; his views with regard to the recommendations contained therein; and if he will introduce legislation to give effect to its proposals. [3275/01]

85 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform it the Government will accept and implement the recommendations contained in the report of the committee chaired by the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Keane, calling for a judicial council to deal with problems of judicial conduct and discipline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3170/01]

154 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the judicial committee concerning judicial conduct and ethics which has been forwarded to him by the Chief Justice; if he will publish the report; his views regarding the recommendations contained therein; and if it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to proposals therein. [2987/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 85 and 154 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the report from the judicial committee was published on 25 January last and I understand it was circulated to all interested parties including members of the Oireachtas.

One of the main recommendations contained in the recent report from the judicial committee established by the Chief Justice, following on the recommendations of the sixth report of the Working Group on a Courts Commission, is the establishment on a statutory basis of a Judicial Council which would, inter alia, deal with matters relating to judicial conduct and ethics while preserving the principle of judicial independence as set out in the Constitution.