Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to commission civilians in the Defence Forces to take up positions of military judges. [39494/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The provisions of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2011 expanded the potential candidature for the post of military judge to persons other than members of the Defence Forces. Under the provisions of the 2011 Act the post of military judge was advertised in March of this year. Following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service, Mr Michael Campion was recommended for appointment as the military judge. Mr Campion was commissioned as an officer of the Permanent Defence Force on 4 September 2012 in the rank of Colonel for the purpose of taking up the appointment. He was subsequently appointed by the President as a military judge with effect from 6 September 2012 and was sworn in by the Judge Advocate-General at a ceremony in the Military Justice Centre, McKee Barracks on 12 September 2012.

The function of the military judge is to preside at courts martial and such other judicial functions as may be prescribed. To be qualified for appointment as a military judge an individual must be a practising barrister or a practising solicitor of not less than 10 years standing. It is not anticipated that it will be necessary to hold any further competition for the post of military judge in the short-term.