Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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372. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been made in the public consultation on the appointment of judges; if she will arrange for the submission to be published on her Department’s website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24807/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The consultation process to which the Deputy refers was conducted with the intention of instituting reforms to enhance the current system of judicial appointments. My Department received a significant amount of material as part of the process with views ranging across many different and complex aspects of the eligibility provisions and the arrangements for appointing judges.

These views are informing the process of formulation of draft legislation to reform the system of judicial appointments and which I intend to publish later this year along with a report on submissions received during the consultation phase. Further consultations with relevant stakeholders will then be undertaken.

The review and reform of this area of critical importance to the functioning of our system of justice provides an opportunity to determine what system can best respond to the expectations and needs of a modern State.