Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Today, the Government made decisions regarding appointments to the Circuit and District Courts. There were seven vacancies based on retirements and the untimely death of a member of the District Court some months ago. There were seven appointments made today to the Circuit Court to fill all vacancies therein. There were five appointments made today to fill five vacancies in the District Court. One of those appointed to the Circuit Court today was promoted from the District Court, Judge David Riordan, who was sitting in the Cork District Court. As a result of his appointment, there are three further vacancies to be filled in the District Court. There have to be formal assignments of the newly appointed District Court judges so as to facilitate legislatively the appointments to fill the three vacancies. I anticipate that those vacancies will be filled within the next two to three weeks. The new judges have to be sworn in and formally assigned. For technical reasons, we can then make the three appointments. Clearly, we cannot make the appointment to replace District Court Judge Riordan until he is in the Circuit Court. We are trying to ensure that we appoint the remaining three at the same time within the next two to three weeks.

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