Judicial appointments and AG role
Deputy MacSharry asked whether the Attorney General’s role in judicial appointments creates a conflict with promises of judicial reform and transparency. The Minister said the judicial appointments commission Bill will come forward in this session and that the Deputy’s comments would be sent to the Taoiseach’s Department, but no direct answer was given.
Taoiseach - my apologies - that was a Freudian slip. The question was for the Taoiseach and the Minister looks comfortable in the role.
To follow on from previous Members, page 85 of the programme for Government refers to the reform of the judicial process and courts, while page 120 refers to transparency and enhancing democracy. I ask the Minister to raise a matter with the Taoiseach for report to the House. Given the role of the Attorney General in the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, in the appointment of judges and in the promotion of judges to higher courts, can the Minister advise the House whether, in the course of the Attorney General's concluding of his private work of which we have been informed in the media, any judges before whom the Attorney General appeared in his private capacity since his appointment have since been promoted to a higher court? Could he inform the House of that?
Comment on this
I am decidedly uncomfortable with this line of questioning. I call on the Minister to briefly respond.
Comment on this
I advise the Deputy that in relation to judicial appointments themselves, the judicial appointments commission Bill will be published in this session. We intend to do that in this session. That can be debated fully at that stage.
We are committed to reforming-----
Comment on this
Will the Minister get the answer to the question? It is very specific.
Comment on this
The comments made by the Deputy are on the record of the House. We will certainly make sure the Department of the Taoiseach receives a copy of them.
Comment on this
Will the House be informed of the response?