Vol. 523 No. 3
34 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government has completed its consideration of the report on the Judiciary prepared by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16489/00]
46 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government has completed its consideration of the report on the judiciary prepared by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17214/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 46 together.
The fourth progress report of the All-party committee on the Constitution deals with the courts and the Judiciary.
The report examines many issues including the appointment and removal of judges, judicial conduct and ethics. It also deals with questions such as the judicial review of the constitutionality of legislation and the constitutionality of Bills and laws and related matters.
As such, the report covers many areas of public life and its recommendations and conclusions in respect of our Constitution have implications for all Departments of State. The Government will therefore carefully consider this report in that broad context and in tandem with the recommendations contained in other reports from the all-party committee.
As regards the matters relating to the Judiciary which are covered in the report, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have completed a preliminary examination of the report and very much welcome the contribution which it has made to the debate on these questions.
The Deputy will be aware that the judicial committee established in response to the sixth report of the working group on a courts commission is also currently examining the question of judicial conduct and ethics with a view to publishing a separate report. I look forward to receiving that report and together with the work of the all-party committee, the Government will be in a position to finalise its consideration of all the constitutional and other issues involved in this important area.
