Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. It seeks to enact a wide range of reforms which will change the way in which judges are appointed in Ireland. We support the Bill although we will propose amendments to it to make it stronger. We must see the appointment of judges who truly reflect Irish society, not just a certain section of society. We must have judges who are in touch with all communities, especially working class communities because those communities live with the brutal reality of drug-related crime and antisocial behaviour. It is consistently said to me that judges are out of touch and leave gardaí fighting crime and social disorder with one arm tied behind their backs. Countless gardaí have told me how frustrating and disheartening their role has become due to out-of-touch judges. There are countless examples of violent offenders with 70 or 80 previous offences receiving suspended sentences from judges. Many violent offenders feel untouchable. This is having a devastating impact on local communities. It infuriates local residents and undermines the role of the gardaí.

Previously in this Chamber I have raised various gang feuds and the ongoing social disorder. Recently, it was in Creighton Street in City Quay and prior to that it was in Grand Canal Docks. The gardaí struggle for the required resources, but they do a great job with the limited resources they have. We must have judges who are not afraid to hold offenders accountable. Some absolutely horrible crimes are committed in communities across the country and the leniency of the sentences takes one's breath away. Residents tell me that judges are out of touch with inner city communities. As was mentioned earlier, the cohort of people who are qualified to be judges is small. It will be extended slightly. For me, the challenge is that we cannot wait for the natural change to happen. We have to be proactive to ensure that the judges reflect the increasing diversity sooner rather than later.

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