Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I disagree with any assertion that there has been anything that might in way be associated with cronyism or the equivalent. I disagree with Senator McDowell when he says that a Minister or Ministers exercise a veto over the appointments. The proof is in the numbers. In 2016 there were 14 judges appointed. I was appointed as the Minister for Justice and Equality halfway through 2017. In 2017 there were 16 members of the Judiciary appointed, and halfway through 2018 there have been nine members appointed. I intend to recommend more names to Government at an early opportunity in order to ensure that our courts are properly equipped to oversee the administration of justice in the State, as is their function. I believe that I have a fundamental obligation in that regard and I will continue to fulfil it. In the figures I have just given I see no evidence of vetoes, blocks or stops, irrespective of what might have been said by way of speculative articles in newspapers.

Only last week the Government agreed on my proposal to nominate Mr. Justice Patrick McCarthy to the Court of Appeal. This is the latest in a number of very important appointments and the latest in a number of appointments that have been made solely on merit, expertise, experience and qualifications. I look forward to bringing forward more names to the Government as required.

I do not see any evidence of any veto and I stand over all appointments that have been made by the Government, especially over the last few years with regard to experience, qualifications, expertise and the merit principle, as we are discussing in the Bill. I make no apologies for fundamentally disagreeing with the Minister, Deputy Ross on this. He is not a member of my party. He was but he left it, as did Senator McDowell.