Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Creighton is speaking about qualifications and experience on a curriculum vitae. It was not clear from the amendment precisely what the Deputy had in mind in respect of publication.

I assure Deputy Creighton that the issues of transparency and accountability in the process of judicial appointments will be fully considered in the review process. There should be no doubt about that. I am open to a fundamental and thorough review of the judicial appointments process and the implementation of significant reform. The current system has been in place since 1995, almost 20 years, and it is important that we approach the issue in an overall rather than piecemeal fashion.

Deputy Creighton stated her amendment is straightforward. Views differ, however, on the role of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and the numbers involved. The Deputy cited the report published in January. This will form part of our considerations of the submissions we have received. We all accept the issue is important. I intend to address it in a measured manner and I will consider the submissions received. I expect to have legislation prepared by the end of the year. While we all want to move forward on this issue, I am conscious of the need to treat the submissions appropriately. For this reason, I will not accept an amendment that deals with one aspect of reform in advance of consideration of and decisions on the range of recommendations and submissions that have been made, and the Government's decision on how we will handle the overall process.

See this speech in context