Conflicting views on judges’ pay vote

CALLS for a referendum to reduce judges’ pay have been dismissed by legal experts who believe such a vote would open up wider debate on the independence of the judiciary.

Fine Gael will introduce a private members’ bill in the Dáil which it hopes will see the country go to the polls next year to change article 35.5 of the Constitution, which states: “The remuneration of a judge shall not be reduced during his continuance in office.”

The article is designed to ensure the Government of the day does not interfere with rulings made by the judiciary by punishing them with a pay cut.