Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
76 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects that the long promised Judicial Conduct and Ethics Bill will be published; if he has brought proposals to Government on the matter; if the heads of a Bill have been approved by Cabinet; the general approach he intends to adopt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32524/04]
View answerAn Agreed Programme for Government promised legislation to provide effective remedies for complaints about judicial misbehaviour. The preparation of heads of a judicial council Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department and I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the heads to Government for approval, with a view to publishing the Bill itself in the first half of 2005. The legislation will provide, among other things, a process for the investigation of complaints about judicial misbehaviour, including lay participation in such investigations.
It is my intention to bring the heads of the Bill before the joint committee on justice when they have reached a suitable stage so that Members of both Houses can have a pre-emptive look at how the legislation is developing. I am confident that the promised legislation will be enacted during the term of office of the present Government so the question of a delay in fulfilling the promise made in An Agreed Programme for Government does not arise.
