Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Judicial Appointments.

Alan Shatter

Question:

406 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons appointed by him during the lifetime of this Government as judges to the District Court, Circuit Court, High Court and Supreme Court; the number of such appointees who at the time of their appointment were practising solicitors in respect of each court; and the number of such appointees who at the time of their appointment were practising barristers. [9759/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): The following are the number of District, Circuit, High and Supreme Court judges appointed during the lifetime of this Government who were practising barristers or solicitors at the time of their appointment:

Court	No. ofAppointments	No. of PractisingBarristers/Solicitors
Supreme Court	3	3 Barristers
High Court	11	11 Barristers
Circuit Court	7	5 Barristers, 2 Solicitors
District Court	14	13 Solicitors, 1 Barrister

In addition, two appointments were made to the Circuit Court, one to the High Court and two to the Supreme Court where the persons appointed were already serving judges.