Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2006
48 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government is considering an alteration to the manner in which it selects persons for nomination by the President as members of the Supreme Court, in view of the hugely influential role that the court plays in Irish life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41916/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. The purpose of the Board is to identify persons and inform the Government of the suitability of those persons for judicial office, including appointments to the Supreme Court.
The Board consists of the Chief Justice, the Presidents of the High Court, Circuit Court and District Court, the Attorney General, nominated representatives of the Bar Council and the Law Society and three persons nominated by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
This procedure does not apply where the Government proposes to advise the President to appoint to judicial office a person who is already a judge or, subject to certain conditions, holds certain European or international judicial offices as set out in section 5 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 as amended. It is very often the case that a vacancy on the Supreme Court is filled in this manner by an already serving Judge.
The Government has no plans to alter the way in which judges or other persons are nominated for appointment by the President to the Supreme Court.
