Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
892. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are minutes of meetings at which the vacancy in the Court of Appeal were discussed in the past three months; if he will release these minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government. The current process for the appointment of judges in Ireland is set out in Part IV of the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995, as amended.
Section 20 of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995 provides that all proceedings of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and all communications to the Board shall be confidential.
Furthermore, the consideration of the filling of judicial vacancies are decisions made by Government and are subject to Cabinet confidentiality under Article 28.4.3° of the Constitution and therefore it is not possible to release the minutes of Cabinet meetings.
Neither I nor my Department are aware of any meetings of the nature referred to by the Deputy other than the Government meeting on 13 June 2017 and the processes of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board in relation to the vacancy which are subject to the statutory confidentiality requirement as set out above.
