Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Tá ceist agam don Taoiseach, nó b'fhéidir don Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais. I understand the Cabinet yesterday appointed three new judges. It is reported that these will be the last judges appointed under the current system. In fact, today's newspapers report some rancour at the Cabinet. Obviously, there were earnest protests from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, indicating that this would be the last time such an appointments system would be allowed, but seeing as he has allowed many judges to be appointed, that remains to be seen. When will the Judicial Appointments Bill be brought forward on Report Stage? Perhaps the Minister will inform the House but we are told the hold-up is in the Department of Justice and Equality and that it is examining the amendments made by this House on Committee Stage.

If there is a difficulty with any of the changes made by the Dáil the Minister might set them out for us so that we can have a clear timeline for the legislation.

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