Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Government has promised to advance the Judicial Council Bill 2017 to establish a new judicial council to promote high standards of conduct and investigate accusations of wrongdoing by judges. The Council of Europe has stated the lack of such a body is a major flaw in Ireland's judicial system and many judges have also called for one to be established. We now have a Bill, but it has been on the Seanad Order Paper for two years. The last time I raised this matter the Taoiseach stated it was because of delays in dealing with the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, but it cannot be true that the 40 Bills in the Department of Justice and Equality cannot progress because one Bill is taking up a great deal of time. No Department could operate on that basis. Will the Minister for Justice and Equality clarify when we will see the Judicial Council Bill which is needed? Will he allow it to progress in parallel with other Bills? It is not unusual for more than one Bill from a Department to be before the Houses. The Minister could bring it to the Dáil if he does not want to bring it to the Seanad. It is important legislation and we are subject to international criticism for not having such a body.

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