Government concedes amendment to judicial appointments reform bill on promotion of sitting judges
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The Government has accepted an amendment to its controversial Judicial Appointments Commission Bill to make it easier for sitting judges of the superior courts to be promoted.
The bill originally provided that a sitting judge of the superior courts who wanted to apply for a vacancy in the High Court, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court would have to go through the proposed Judicial Appointments Commission.
However, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan yesterday accepted an amendment tabled by Independent Senator Michael McDowell which states that the commission should have “no further function” once the Government decides to recommend a sitting judge of the superior courts for appointment, The Irish Times reports.
Mr Flanagan did not explain why the Government had changed its mind.
Mr McDowell and other Senators who oppose the proposed judicial appointments reforms have been attempting to filibuster the bill.
Mr Flanagan had originally told the Seanad last June that he hoped it would be completed “towards the end of July” last year.
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