Opposition seeks Curtin impeachment clarification
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday told the Dáil that the Government had decided to set up a joint Oireachtas committee to hear evidence in the case of Judge Curtin. The committee will collect and record evidence, which will then be presented to the Dáil and Seanad for a decision on whether Judge Curtin should be impeached.
However, Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe, who is seeking a meeting with the Attorney General today, said there were many elements of the Government's proposal which needed to be carefully considered.
"I want to be constructive and positive but I need a lot of answers to questions in relation to this procedure. I want to see the Oireachtas do a good job and a proper job," he said.
Issues of concern identified by Mr O'Keeffe include the standard of proof that will be required to impeach Judge Curtin and whether or not the judge will be compelled to attend the Oireachtas hearings. Mr Ahern indicated in the Dáil that Judge Curtin could not, as a member of the bench, be compelled to attend.
But the Government spokeswoman later said that as the proposed hearings were not concerned with the judge's behaviour on the bench, he would not be afforded judicial protection from being compelled to appear. Mr O'Keeffe and Labour leader Pat Rabbitte also criticised the Government for failing to implement proposed legislation which would have put in place a mechanism for dealing with judicial misbehaviour and avoided the current dilemma.
Speaking at the launch of his party's European election campaign before yesterday's impeachment announcement Mr Rabbitte said he fully expected the Government to reach a financial settlement with Judge Curtin. "The Taoiseach and his Justice Minister are playing hardball until June 12. After June 12 they will likely meet the judge halfway in Portlaoise and offer him a barrel of taxpayers' money," he said.
Judge Curtin is also facing possible charges following his arrest in Tralee, 10 days ago on suspicion of drink driving. The DPP is understood to be considering whether charges will be brought in relation to the matter.
