Shatter: ‘Undesirable’ if judges excluded from cuts

Alan Shatter believes it would be “undesirable” if judges were excluded from bringing in “efficiencies and costs savings” as part of the new Croke Park deal on public sector reform.

The justice minister’s comments follow reports that he had written to top judge seeking to cut their judges and increase their working hours.

In a statement, Mr Shatter said each sector of the public service was “expected” to come up with its own proposals to save money and enhance reform. However, he rejected any suggestion that his requests compromised the constitutional independence of the judiciary.