Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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486. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the consultation process on judicial appointments. [17810/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Last December I initiated a public consultation process to review the procedures for judicial appointment. This review is considering how best to ensure and protect the principle of judicial independence and includes consideration of issues such as the appointment process, eligibility criteria, the role of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and the need to promote equality and diversity. A total of 27 submissions have been received and they are now being considered within my Department. The consultation sought submissions within the current constitutional provisions and any proposal to introduce a new system of appointments which would require statutory amendments would, of course, be a matter for consideration by Government in the first instance.