Dermot Ahern
Question:20 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice if she has set up a simple fail safe system for delisting judges from the Special Criminal Court and all court panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4941/97]
Written Answers. - Judicial Appointments.
Gerard C. Connolly
Question:48 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the procedures, if any, in place for delisting a member of the Special Criminal Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5413/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 48 together.
Deputies will recall I informed the House on 19 November 1996 that an assistant secretary in my Department has been given personal responsibility for ensuring that each Government decision affecting the Judiciary including removal or replacement of a judge of the Special Criminal Court is implemented and that I and the Secretary of the Department are immediately provided with written confirmation in each case that the decision has been implemented and that all necessary follow-up procedures have also been implemented. A procedure has been put in place for the removal of judges from the Special Criminal Court which, if followed, should ensure that a removed judge cannot inadvertently sit on the Special Criminal Court.
In addition I have restored the practice that all judges now receive a copy of Iris Oifigiúil, which had ceased in 1991.