Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the constitutional question, judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government in accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution. The removal of this subsection as stated ensures that there is no ambiguity on this. It is the prerogative of the Government and not a new quango who it recommends to the President for appointment as it has done on almost 61 occasions during the lifetime of this Government. I ask the Minister to reconsider this point and go along with us on this issue.