Call for political appointment of judges and gardaí to end

Independent TDs have called for the political appointments of judges and gardaí to be stopped and for top posts to awarded on merit alone.

Proposals were laid before the Dáil yesterday to overhaul the current system of appointing members of the judiciary amid claims posts were dished out as “rewards” to those who have been loyal to political parties.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter is currently reviewing the method of appointing judges and proposals are expected to be brought to his Cabinet colleagues by the end of this year.