Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If there is a desire within Government to try to delay the nomination of judges pending the establishment of the judicial appointments commission, I urge it to bring forward legislation promptly in respect of such a judicial appointments commission. That is something that Fianna Fáil intends to do. We believe the judicial appointments commission process should be amended so that the independent advisory body to Government will nominate a smaller number of individuals. At present under the Judicial Advisory Appointments Board, the number is seven and we think it should be reduced to three. We also think that individuals should be ranked on merit.

I am happy to work with the Tánaiste on the judicial appointments commission. Can she give an indication as to when she intends to bring that legislation before the House as it seems to be having an impact on the Government's decision to nominate individuals to fill vacancies?

See this speech in context