Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

Does the Minister agree that it is repugnant that a very privileged elite in our society - which senior judges in particular are given that some of them might be on six or seven times the average industrial wage - should be allowed to continue with such very high salaries while working people, poor people and unemployed people are getting hammered by the Government continuing the policy of Fianna Fáil and making them pay for the EU-IMF bailout and the financial crimes of European bankers?

I ask the Minister to be more specific on the timing. He indicated he already has a Bill drafted. As I believe he will agree that it is a very straightforward question, there really should not be any problem in putting a time on it. Will it take place this year? Surely it is the Minister for Justice and Equality who will bring the recommendation to the Government.

Did the Minister receive a report on the meeting between the Chief Justice and the Taoiseach in regard to related matters of judges' pensions and so forth? What was asked and were any assurances or promises given by the Taoiseach with regard to the issues that were under discussion?

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