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

On 16 June last year, a vacancy arose;on 4 February, the Chief Justice wrote to the Minister; on 17 February, there was a letter to the JAAB to try to fill that; on 18 February, the Minister responded to the Chief Justice's letter of 4 February indicating the issue to the JAAB to request a list; and on 25 February, the Chief Justice replied to the letter of 18 February indicating the JAAB meeting is scheduled for 9 March. The JAAB met on 9 March and, on 11 March, the list was received. In between that time, there was a general election, there was an interim Government and a clear decision was taken not to appoint anyone bar the President to the High Court for the reasons I outlined. It was made aware to me that this was urgent. At the same time, I did take the time to look at all the names. I did not appoint someone immediately. There were two or three Cabinet meetings which happened before I eventually brought a name to Cabinet.

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