Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to make any further appointments to the Judiciary based on the current system of appointments; the number of current vacancies broken down by category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7277/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently 3 judicial vacancies in the Courts, as follows:

Judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government. Such appointments are dealt with by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB) which was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. Under section 16 of the Act, where a judicial office stands vacant or before a vacancy in a judicial office arises, the Advisory Board submits to me, as Minister for Justice and Equality, the names of the persons recommended for appointment. I then bring the names to Government which decides on the person(s) to nominate to the President for appointment.

On 29 November 2016 the Government agreed, in regard to the appointment of judges to the District Court, to fill up to four vacancies which were either existing or imminent. One District Court vacancy has already been filled and a second judge is expected to be appointed by the end of February. A further vacancy arose in January with another due to arise next month and I understand that the JAAB process in regard to these two positions is underway and the names of suitable candidates will be forwarded to me in due course.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government is preparing a Bill to reform the system of judicial appointments, and when the new provisions are in force, judicial appointments will proceed on the basis of the new procedures.

Until such time, any decision that may be required in relation to the filling of any judicial vacancy will have regard to the need to ensure the proper functioning of the system of administration of justice.