Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am referring to the appointment of judges. Of course, the reason that was done was that under the 2002 Act the appointment of judges to posts within the Judiciary fell outside the remit of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board. If the Government decided to select a judge, such as an ordinary judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, to higher office - my experience predates the Court of Appeal, so I do not have experience of that process - it was customary to consider the follow-on consequences of that appointment. The vacancy would be noted and the Cabinet would deal with it on the day.