Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the appointment of the new Chief Justice yesterday and particularly her statement following the making of her constitutional declaration in the presence of the President and other witnesses at Áras an Uachtaráin. She proposed a new judicial council and court of appeal. I am sure the Government will pay attention to her call and agree with her. She is showing herself to be a fine reforming judge. As stated already, she has a good track record in this regard. I particularly welcome the fact that she is not accepting any salary increase on taking up her new position. She pointed out that judges are sharing and caring and prepared to play their part in these difficult economic times. They are not immune to what the rest of society is suffering, nor are they opposed to taking cuts. The new Chief Justice is leading by example. Until the question of judges' salaries is finally resolved, she is not taking an increase.

It is most unfortunate that some judges have refused to take cuts. They have stood aside from the national effort in this emergency and, while I will not say they are giving judges a bad name, they are not doing the cause of the vast majority of judges, who are kind and caring, any good. I recognise the lead the new Chief Justice is giving and hope the few colleagues who have stood apart will follow her example and pay heed to her lead.