Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Vincent Browne show is more appropriate for the Deputy. He is welcome to go on again. Mr. Browne is looking for the Deputy on any night he wants.

Why was Mr. Justice Kelly forced last Tuesday week to withdraw from a High Court case that Irish Life & Permanent was taking against a lay litigant, whom I commend on his courage and whom I will not name but whose name is in the public domain? Affidavits were sworn. The judge, having been asked previously to withdraw, was asked again because he had a financial interest in the financial institution. I rest my case. The matter stinks to high heaven. We need a judicial council and not the jabs, jibs or blunders the Government has set up and under which it is operating.

Victim support groups, community organisations and many other vehicles could be examined to remove the process from the stinking political trough it is in and in which the Government wants to keep it. The Government has appointed more political associates since coming into office on this occasion. It is actually punishing the previous Government for keeping it out of power for 14 years, during which time it could not get its boys in. Last year the Minister for Justice and Equality put a referendum question to the people without debate so as to appoint a new layer of judges. Unfortunately, the people fell for it but we have to accept their decision. The Minister is to appoint all his own friends again. He had better come back from his travels, wherever he is, and deal with the issues before the public comes screaming for him.

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