Results 13,881-13,900 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that no one is blocking it. There is a process. There is a timeframe. It is with the Judicial Council which is setting out the terms of reference. I am assured it will come back as soon as possible. From the perspective of this House, everything that has or could be done at this stage, has been.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can only refer to my previous comment. It is often the case where legislation is signed into law, there is a period of time before it is enacted. In this case, it is with the Judicial Council. It is setting out the terms of reference and I have no doubt that when it is done, this process and procedure will get up and running.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Minister of the day asks the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board to set the wheels in motion to make recommendations. However I only do so when I am asked either by the president of the relevant court or the Chief Justice to fill that vacancy. In this instance, there were two; the second only arose only a very short time before I came into this role on 27 June. I was asked to fill one...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can only assume that when the board met that all members of the board were there. I have outlined those who sit on it. I cannot tell the Deputy otherwise, but I assume that each time it meets, a full complement of members meets. That is their obligation.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Formerly, before 2014 or 2015, the process was that the names came directly to the Minister. That has since changed where they go directly to the Office of the Attorney General, but then come directly to my office. I cannot confirm or deny but it is my understanding that they do not stay in the Attorney General's office and that they come directly to my private office.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: 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...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: It is not deemed appropriate in this instance. The names of members of the Judiciary are still sitting on a list in my office and if I am ever asked to fill this next vacant position, they will be put forward for that as well.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have already said that I did not. I made one recommendation to the Taoiseach, as is my job to do as Minister for Justice.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: At that stage, I had not received the other list. Of course, I took that on board but having then looked at the other names, I made a recommendation based on who I felt was the best person for the job.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Tánaiste has already said that he was not but I cannot answer for him other than what he has said.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I want to clarify this issue because a number of Members have mentioned it. I have never referred to how many names there were. There were five expressions of interest. It it not good practice to start talking about how many names there were but in the interests of clarity I wish to be very clear. There were five expressions of interest, plus the recommendation through the JAAB. I...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have already said that but I have also said, not just in this House but elsewhere, that I have never put forward a name to Cabinet without the full agreement of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan and the Attorney General, and this instance is no different. There were no questions and no concerns were raised. In other instances where I have proposed names,...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: It has been made clear that I did not. It is also clear that it has been a long-standing practice for there to be other names and that other judges put their names forward through expressions of interest. Having heard from former Ministers for Justice, it is also clear that it is not always the practice for the Minister to inform the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste of other names. The...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The memorandum that goes to Cabinet does not include any names. It just states that a name is coming to Cabinet. The Deputy will be aware that I cannot talk about anything that is discussed with Cabinet colleagues inside Cabinet.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Ceann Comhairle has been very clear that it is not appropriate for me to discuss criteria here. I have already explained that there is no list or boxes that I am given to tick. The Deputy is suggesting that this was a huge decision to make. Upon being appointed Minister for Justice, one immediately has a number of huge decisions to make. I take my role and my job as Minister for...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have just outlined that there were five expressions of interest. One name came through JAAB and there was a lengthy list of suitable judges but those people had not expressed an interest in this role.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I looked at all the names that were put before me. One was from the JAAB and there were five expressions of interest. I am saying that in the interests of clarity. It is not practice to give the number of expressions of interest. There was also a long list of eligible sitting judges from all the courts, who have not expressed an interest. That list changes and I do not have the exact...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: When I came into the Department on 28 June, I received my briefings, which stated that there was a vacancy and that the Chief Justice had asked for it to be filled immediately. I said in my statement that because lists had been reduced in the Supreme Court, there was a tradition that not all of those positions would be filled. When this one needed to be filled, which was before I came into...

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: What the Cabinet handbook says is that in the case of appointments to the Judiciary, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other party leaders, the Minister for Finance and the Attorney General should be informed in advance of proposals to make such appointments and I did just that.

Judicial Appointments Process: Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I refer to my previous response that other former Ministers for Justice have very clearly said they never brought other names to the Taoiseach.