Judiciary set to continue speaking out on Dáil bills

It is wholly appropriate that judges make their views known in the ongoing debates about judicial appointments and a judicial council, the new chief justice, Frank Clarke, said yesterday.

In a statement setting out the important priorities before the legal year kicks off next week, Mr Justice Clarke also said the judiciary will continue to engage in an appropriate fashion as the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill and the Judicial Council Bill pass through the Oireachtas.

“Obviously this legislation has the potential to affect the judiciary in a very significant way and it is, in my view, wholly appropriate that judges make their views known while recognising, of course, that legislation is ultimately a matter for the Oireachtas,” he said.