Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 6, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following:

“Object of Act: judicial independence

2. (1) With a view to upholding the independence of the judiciary as the foundation of public confidence in the administration of justice, the Oireachtas in passing this Act seeks to ensure that the recommendation and selection of persons to serve in judicial office is based on merit and is free from political patronage.

(2) All persons concerned with the administration of this Act or who perform functions under it shall act in accordance with the object specified in subsection (1).

(3) This Act shall so far as is practicable be construed in accordance with the Dublin Declaration on Standards for the Recruitment and Appointment of Members of the Judiciary, adopted by the General Assembly of the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary at its meeting in Dublin on 9 to 11 May 2012.”.

The Minister is very welcome. This amendment is based on upholding judicial independence. In particular, our amendment seeks to incorporate as an interpretative aid the 2012 Dublin declaration on standards for the recruitment and appointment of members of the Judiciary, adopted by the General Assembly of the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary. On that basis, we are asking the amendment to be adopted.