Judges urged to accept pay cut

THE country’s judges have been urged to “play their part” in tackling the economic crisis by volunteering a 10% pay cut.

Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kennedy said that, given the constitutional independence of the judiciary, the Government would not impose the pension levy on judges.

Neither can the Government impose a pay cut on them, as Article 35.5 of the Constitution states: “The remuneration of a judge shall not be reduced during his continuance in office.” However, judges could “gift” a percentage of their six-figure salaries to the state if they wished, Mr Kennedy said.