Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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117. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a number of complaints by solicitors and other legal practitioners against a person (details supplied); and if she will investigate the matter. [28545/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, judges are independent in matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. The decision reached in any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge and if a person is not satisfied with the decision the judge makes, it is possible to appeal any decision of that judge to the appropriate appeal court.

As the Deputy will also be aware the drafting of the Judicial Council Bill, which will establish a Judicial Council in order to provide an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints against judges, is at present at an advanced stage. As well as providing for the establishment of a Judicial Council and Board that will promote excellence and high standards of conduct by judges, the proposed Bill aims to provide a means of investigating allegations of judicial misconduct in the form of a Judicial Conduct Committee, which will have lay representation. It is the Government's intention to have this Bill published in the current Dáil session.