In 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 Government has such discretion under the Constitution to nominate persons of its own choosing, provided that they are qualified and eligible for appointment as a judge.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that a notice of every judicial appointment made is published in Iris Oifigiúil. Where the person appointed was recommended for that appointment by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB), the notice shall include a statement to that effect, in accordance with section 16(8) of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995.
I have asked my Department to examine records since 1995 in relation to the matters referred to in the Deputy's question and I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the relevant information is to hand.