New committee proposed to remove Government's power on appointments

New legislation is being proposed to remove the Government's power to appoint top judges and senior Gardaí.

Two bills, proposed by Shane Ross, call for the establishment of an independent appointments council.

Nominations will then be examined by an Oireachtas committee, before being sent to the President for ratification.

The Independent TD said judges and the Gardaí should be totally independent of the Government.

He suggested that legal academics without "obvious attachment to political parties", people from community and voluntary groups, and members of the Free Legal Advice Centre could all be used as members with sound legal experience.