Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for assuring the House that he is looking at providing additional judges. Will he ensure that equality laws apply to judges also? Are judges entitled to maternity and paternity leave? They should get the same rights as every other worker in the country such as holidays and time off. It is my understanding that the same laws might not apply to them. Who ensures that those laws are applied to them? Who is their boss? It is not the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Is it the President of the High Court and the various other presidents and the registrars? Female judges in particular are unable to avail of all the rights afforded to other female workers.