Seanad debates

Tuesday, 25 June 2019

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is the point. The point I am making in this context is simple in respect of the interview process. Section 53(5) states:

In the preparation of the statement referred to in subsection (1)(a), the Procedures Committee shall, amongst other matters, have regard to—(a) the critical importance of the selection procedures, in filling vacancies in judicial office, to the administration of justice,

(b) the need for adherence to recognised best practice standards in recruitment processes for judicial and other related offices,

(c) the objective that the membership of the judiciary should comprise equal numbers of men and women...

The Judiciary should be equally composed of men and women and so on and so forth. I cannot accept the proposition that candidates for selection for recommendation should be asked questions to elicit from them their religious beliefs or non-beliefs, their ideological beliefs in the past or their current ideological beliefs, their sexual orientation or their political affiliations. If this is to be the apolitical process which the Minister, Deputy Ross, speaks about, I cannot imagine how it would possibly be correct to ask a person for his or her political opinions as part of the winnowing process to produce a shortlist.

On Senator Norris's statement that he is not a Protestant, I wonder about that. I think the Senator is putting himself into a very high Anglican little niche.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.