Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

I congratulate the Taoiseach on the marriage last Friday of one of his Ministers of State, who is seated behind him, to a Member of the Upper House. I hope she will not have any divided loyalties when she is obliged to vote for the abolition by referendum of the House of which her husband is a Member.

The second congratulations I wish to extend to the Taoiseach is on a serious matter. I congratulate him on what occurred during the recess when he met the Chief Justice, who presumably had come to request something of him. He was sent off with a referendum in his pocket. That was most welcome. It was appropriate that the Taoiseach should address that issue by promising a referendum on the position of the Judiciary and why judges have such a special position of privilege in the Constitution, particularly in view of their salaries. In view of the commendable reform he has announced regarding State appointments, although he has not gone nearly far enough, I ask the Taoiseach to follow up on that by examining more seriously the appointment of members of the Judiciary.

Appointment to the Judiciary is another area that is blatantly political. I do not know if Members of the House know how judges are appointed but the judicial advisory board, which is stuffed with political appointees, makes recommendations to the Government on the appointment of all members of the Judiciary.

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