Shane Ross calls on judges to ‘cool it’ in appointments row

The ongoing row between Government and leading members of the judiciary shows little sign of abating as Independent TD and Transport Minister Shane Ross called on judges to “cool it”.

Writing in the Sunday Independent, the minister, who has claimed credit for pushing reform of judicial appointments onto the agenda, said the Government had faced an “avalanche of vitriol”.

Mr Ross also spoke of his “surprise” after Mr Justice Peter Kelly, president of the High Court, described the Government’s proposals for reform as “ill conceived” and “ill advised”.

Mr Ross wrote: “Peter Kelly is a good man and a good judge. On past performance he ought to be on our side.

“Those unfamiliar with his outspokenness might like to know that less than five years ago he caused another stir when he rightly claimed that appointments to the Supreme Court were ‘purely political’.”

He added: “Who is afraid of ordinary citizens? Who fears a lay majority on the commission? A significant number of our legal elite does. How on earth, they whisper, could mere citizens elect learned judges? The opponents of such mortals’ participation bear the strong whiff of condescension. Statements from the judiciary’s apologists imply that they alone have the wisdom to decide who is worthy of sitting alongside themselves on the various benches. They should cool it.”