-----if that is, in fact, the case.

I refer to the comments this morning of Mr. Justice Peter Kelly of the High Court. He referred to appointments to the Supreme Court which he said were purely political, in his view. He further stated that the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board has not worked in making judicial appointments truly independent.

Where is the Deputy going with this?

In fact, a number of the appointments to the Bench which took place under the Government have had political links with Fine Gael or the Labour Party.

Is there a question on legislation?

Does the Taoiseach have plans to bring forward legislation to ensure judicial appointments are truly independent and free from political interference?

Has legislation been promised?

On the issue of Garda resources, I have already given my comments to Deputy Micheál Martin. I sent the Deputy a copy of the relevant statutory instrument in respect of the health issue she had raised. I am assuming my information is correct in this regard.

The Taoiseach should be careful.

The comments by Mr. Justice Kelly to which the Deputy referred related specifically to Supreme Court appointments. We have been very careful never to interfere with the Judiciary. Nobody in this country could quibble with the elevation of Mrs. Justice Susan Denham from the Supreme Court to the role of Chief Justice. The two most recent appointments to the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Clarke and Mr. Justice MacMenamin, were made by a previous Administration on the basis of the appointees' qualities, integrity and credibility.

We are moving away from the Order of Business.

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board makes recommendations from which the Government may select a candidate. However, Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President. In respect of the three most recent appointments, I do not see how anybody could quibble with the individuals' integrity and ability.