Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is envisaged under the Bill that the initial specialist judges will come from the existing cohort of county registrars, who will be entitled to make applications to be appointed as specialist judges to the JAAB. The board will be asked to recommend county registrars to fill the posts initially. It is envisaged that up to eight appointments will be made initially. It may be that we will require only six in the start-up phase. Coming from the cohort of county registrars, the initial appointments will ensure that there is no additional public expenditure of any major extent incurred on the courts' side.

County registrars have particular expertise. They will clearly, like everyone else dealing with this legislation, require training in the legislation and how it works. Although they will operate as independent specialist judges, they will still be able to do some of the court work that county registrars currently do.

Ultimately, future appointments thereafter will be extended as the legislation prescribes to practising solicitors and barristers. The JAAB will be involved in the process.

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