Proposal to protect identities of reprimanded judges comes under scrutiny
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Proposals to protect the identities of judges who are reprimanded for misconduct have come under criticism from opposition politicians and the Law Society of Ireland, The Irish Times reports.
Fianna Fáil, Labour, Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, the Social Democrats and the Green Party are reportedly united in opposition to the controversial provisions of the Judicial Council Bill 2017.
Ken Murphy, director general of the Law Society, said that if disclosure was in line with international best practice, “the question must arise as to why it shouldn’t be possible here also”.
Jim O’Callaghan, justice spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, said: “A reprimand that remains private and undisclosed to the public, particularly in the context of a function performed by a judge in public, is of limited effect and meaning.”
A spokesperson for the Labour Party said the bill should include a presumption in favour of public misconduct hearings in all but exceptional circumstances.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, justice spokesperson for Sinn Féin, said there would be “no real significant discouragement” from transgressions under the proposed bill.
Roderic O’Gorman, justice spokesperson for the Green Party, questioned whether “secret sanctions” would improve public confidence in the administration of justice.
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