Judge to lead body on judicial pay referendum
The cabinet yesterday agreed to hold two referenda on the same day as the presidential election on October 28.
Besides judges’ pay, voters will be asked to decide on empowering Oireachtas members with stronger investigative powers.
The Cabinet yesterday agreed to establish one commission to oversee the two referenda.
A commission is set up for every referendum, and is given the job of providing unbiased material for the public as well as allowing for debate through advertisements and the publication of material.
But information given to the public on the issue of cuts to judicial pay will be decided by a commission led by a judge, it has emerged.
Chief Justice Susan Denham will decide the commission’s make-up.
It is a legal requirement that a judge head a referendum commission. The judge in question will be decided by Chief Justice Denham.
Others on the commission, similar to previous referenda, are expected to include the clerk of the Dáil as well as the Seanad, the Ombudsman and the Comptroller and Auditor General.
A spokeswoman for the Government last night said: “The Government has confidence that whoever is chairman will do the work in an impartial manner. It is a matter for the chief justice.”
Because of a constitutional clause, pay cuts for the public service were not applied to judges, who earn between €147,000 and €295,000 a year.
Senior judiciary will see their salaries cut by between 16% and 23% if the referendum abolishing constitutional protection for their pay rates passes.
The Government published details of that referendum earlier this month.
The wording of the second referendum, known as “Abbeylara”, will be brought to the Government next week and opposition parties will also be briefed on the details.
Abbeylara refers to a 2002 Supreme Court judgement that restricted the powers of Oireachtas committees to make findings of wrongdoing against individuals.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
