Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome Councillor Crowe to the Gallery. I am sure he will be swamped afterwards by his electorate.

I thank Senators for their contributions to the Order of Business. A total of 18 Members spoke and raised matters of importance. Senator Ardagh referred to victims of crime. We have a Victims of Crime Office and the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has published the heads of the criminal justice (victims of crime) Bill, which is in the programme for Government. These were published in July 2015. In addition, we have seen a 21% rise in the budget to fund services for victims of crime. Senator Ardagh has raised an important matter and I look forward to having that Bill before the House.

Senators McDowell, Norris, Paul Coghlan and Craughwell raised the issue of judicial appointments. I cannot accept the amendment from Senator Norris for one practical reason, which is that the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is not available today as she will be taking the Order of Business in the Lower House. Second, she will also be tied up by voting time in the Dáil this afternoon. The matter is an important one. I fully agree with Senator McDowell that the issue of judicial appointments is one which should be the preserve of the Executive. Such appointments should be fully independent of any parts of the Oireachtas. As Senator Paul Coghlan said, we have the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board. As the Upper House, it is important for us to allow for the discussion at Cabinet to continue. I am not afraid of having a debate on it because I share Senator McDowell's view. I agree to Senator Norris's proposal that we should have that discussion at the earliest opportunity. However, I share the view of both Senators that it is premature to have that debate now because we do not have the full facts and there has been no Cabinet memorandum or decision taken yet. It is important to allow the Executive to have the power to appoint.

According to the note of Cabinet discussions this week, it was agreed that the Government can reserve the right to appoint members to whatever positions come up. However, I fully agree that we cannot have a standstill in appointments to the Judiciary. That debate should take place, but I appeal to Senators' better nature to wait and not have it today. I will arrange for such a debate at the earliest opportunity but today is a bit premature.