Vol. 461 No. 8
63 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Justice her assessment of the provision in the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995, which allows the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board obtain confidential assessments of candidates from external sources unknown to the candidates; and her views on whether candidates should be fully aware of all persons contacted regarding their suitability. [3024/96]
I presume that the Deputy is referring to section 14 (2) (c) of the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995, which enables the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board to consult persons concerning the suitability of applicants to the board. Under the provisions of the Act it is a matter for the board to adopt such procedures as it thinks fit to carry out its functions including whether or not it wishes to consult persons concerning the suitability of applicants to the board. Section 20 of the Act provides that all proceedings of the board and all communications to the board shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except for the purposes of the Act. These provisions are specifically aimed at ensuring that the interests of persons, whose suitability for judicial appointment is being considered by the board, are protected.
