Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in fulfilling the promise made in the programme for Government regarding legislation for judicial conduct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29666/04]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the general scheme of the proposed legislation for judicial conduct; if the heads of the Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29667/04]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the anticipated date of publication of the legislation for judicial conduct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29668/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 365, inclusive, together.

The programme for Government promised legislation to provide effective remedies for complaints about judicial misbehaviour. The preparation of heads of a judicial council Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department, and I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the heads to Government for approval, with a view to publishing the Bill in the first half of 2005. The legislation will provide, among other things, a process for the investigation of complaints about judicial misbehaviour, including lay participation in such investigations.

It is my intention, as previously stated in answer to a question from the Deputy last July, to bring the heads of the Bill before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights when they have reached a suitable stage so that members of both Houses can have a pre-emptive look at how the legislation is developing. I am confident that the promised legislation will be enacted during the term of office of the present Government; so the question of a delay in fulfilling the promise made in An Agreed Programme for Government does not arise.