Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All I can say to that is the system is what the system is. I said in my statement that it is not perfect and that we all agree that it needs to be reformed but I cannot change the fact that this is the current process. We receive recommendations from the JAAB, expressions of interest from the sitting Judiciary and then there is a list of those who are eligible. It is then incumbent on the Minister for Justice to look at all those names and to engage with colleagues. In this instance, when I made the recommendation no concerns were raised, no further questions were asked and the name was subsequently sent to Cabinet. I cannot get into the criteria.

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