Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I am just completing it. I also recall a draft Bill which I arranged to lodge in the Bills Office and which was sent over to the Minister's office — dealing with issues surrounding the chaos created last year about child rapists walking free — and next thing I saw it on the front of a newspaper, leaked by this Minister. He owes a full statement to the public as to what is going on in this case. The journalist is still under arrest and the House and the country want to know why.

The Minister tells us he wants more judges. I have been saying we need more judges for a long time. Part of the problem with our criminal justice system is that we are short of judges. Why was the issue not being dealt with long ago? We also need to deal with two related issues. First, is it correct that we have the lowest number of judges per head of population in Europe and, if so, why do we allow that situation to continue? Second, this Bill further limits the number of judges because while it increases their number, it provides an upper limit. Why do we need an upper limit under legislation for judges? Why is it not within the Government's remit to appoint judges when required? This question has often intrigued me. Perhaps, when dealing with the more serious issues I have raised, the Minister will also deal with this question in his reply. It would be worth getting a response on the matter.

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