Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think there have been a number of judges who were legal academics and, in general, the experience has been very positive. It is also common in other countries. In America many people appointed straight to the Supreme Court come from an academic background. It is important, however, to maintain, particularly in courts of first instance, a practical knowledge of how courts operate. I would be concerned if legal academics were, say, put straight into the High Court, the Circuit Court or the District Court without any experience of appearing before courts and practical experience of how the rules of evidence operate. For this reason, I do not support Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire's amendment. However, it is an issue that needs to be looked at. Perhaps the Minister might look at it from the point of view of appointments to the appeal courts, to which someone could be appointed without the necessary practical court experience.