I want to say that I agree with the motion proposed by the Minister. I think it is desirable that matters affecting the pay of the judiciary should be removed as far as possible from the arena of Party controversy. Under our Constitution, the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed and that independence means more than simply freedom from interference by the administration. I think it means freedom to do their work without financial worry. For that reason I think it is desirable that when a matter relating to the salaries of the judiciary is in question, it should be dealt with by this House by means of an all-Party Committee, that the findings of the Committee should be brought before the House and treated as something put forward by all Parties in the House. If that is not done, and if what Deputy Corish suggests is done, that the Government should take responsibility for suggesting to the House, by means of a Bill, what the pay of the judiciary should be, then that means that the salaries of the judiciary are brought into the arena of Party conflict because, unfortunately, the position seems to be that, no matter what the Government may put forward, it is opposed for the sake of opposing. That is so, irrespective of what Government happens to be in office at a particular time.
I am not referring now to the position as it stands at the moment, or as to the way it has stood for the last 30 years or may stand for the next 30 years. I think it is more desirable that a matter such as this should be investigated by a Committee on the lines suggested by the Minister: that persons may be sent for, that documents may be sent for and a Committee set up in that way, representing all Parties in the House. Such a Committee would, I think, bring forward a well considered report which, I am sure, would receive the unanimous support of the House. Now, it is the easiest thing in the world to go out on platforms and refer to the salaries of the Supreme Court, to the salaries of the High Court and to the salaries of district justices. It is the easiest thing, on public platforms all over the country, to refer to these matters. I would say to Deputies, and I am sure the majority of Deputies would agree with me, that if these questions were dealt with in that fashion, in the arena of ordinary Party politics it would not be good for the judiciary nor would it be good for the country.
I think that when our Constitution guarantees independence to the judiciary that they should be independent, in fact, and that no matter what courts are concerned—whether the Supreme Court, the High Court, the Circuit Court or the District Court —they ought not to be the subject of political criticism and political discussion in the country based on the matter of salary. I sincerely hope that every Deputy who is concerned with the constitutional set-up, and who is concerned with the fundamental aspect of it, the independence of the judiciary, will support this motion.
There is one matter that I would like to refer to. The Minister introduced recently a Bill dealing with the courts. That Bill provides increased jurisdiction both for the District Court and the Circuit Court.
