Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In fairness, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I had to correct the record of the House on these matters.

I accept the Minister’s premise that it would be unfair for someone in the legal profession who has been involved in politics to be excluded from a judicial appointment. The solution is simple. The recommendations of the judicial appointments advisory board do not have to be accepted by the Minister. He can change that to an independent appointment decision. In 2011, there was a major media report on judicial appointments and five out of six judges appointed were found to have close links to one of the Government parties. That does not help with public confidence. The Minister can easily change the process through legislation to create an independent body for judicial appointments.

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