Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not dwell on the issue, but perhaps the Leader will indicate the approximate time at which the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill will be debated today. Committee Stage is due to conclude today. It has been a long journey of many hours. I thank my colleagues who signed many of the amendments, and Senator Norris, for their contributions and time. Despite all the allegations, complaints and suggestions of cronyism regarding the appointment of judges, to which I do not subscribe, this Administration has facilitated and supported the appointment of 48 eminent judges and capable persons. The current system works. We will discuss that later today.

I am prompted to make a point following commentary in The Irish Times today on the reappointment of Mr. Phil Hogan as European Commissioner. The suggestion is that the decision was "facilitated" by the support of the Independent Alliance. I do not know whether that is true. However, I wish to make it very clear that under this Administration, of which the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, is a member of Cabinet, more than 48 eminent, qualified and suitable people have been appointed to the Judiciary. This emphasises the point that despite all the threats by members of the Government that they might not support the appointments, all of the appointments were endorsed. Those were the right decisions. The persons appointed to the Judiciary are upstanding people of commitment.