Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Boyhan and Coghlan referred to a judicial council. I join with them in congratulating and thanking Mrs. Justice Susan Denham on her tenure as Chief Justice.

The Government has published the heads of the judicial council Bill that Senator Boyhan raised. I agree with the Chair of the Bar Council that the Judiciary must maintain high standards. There is also a need to see independence between the Government, the Executive and the Judiciary. I hope that will form part of the discussion on the Bill proposed by the Minister for Justice and Equality on the appointment of judges and the judicial council Bill.