Shane Ross launches bid to reform EU court appointments

The government minister who pushed for legislation to reform Irish judicial appointments has revealed plans to bring EU court appointments within the bill’s remit.

Transport Minister Shane Ross of the Independent Alliance told of his plans after a failed Fine Gael election candidate was nominated for appointment to the General Court of the European Union.

Mr Justice Colm Mac Eochaidh, who was nominated to sit on the court alongside Judge Anthony Collins, ran as a Fine Gael candidate for Dublin South-East in 2002.

Mr Ross secured Government support for reform of judicial appointments last year as part of the coalition deal between Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance.

However, the forthcoming legislation will not cover appointments to the General Court of the European Union when introduced to the Dáil.

Mr Ross told the Irish Independent amendments would be introduced “at committee stage to ensure that appointments to EU courts are independent and robust in keeping with pan-European standards”.

He said he did not question Mr Justice Mac Eochaidh’s credentials, but that his appointment strengthened the case for bringing control of judicial appointments away from politicians.