Appointments to the judiciary: Lay chair may lack impartiality

IN a landmark case in 1982, the Supreme Court Judge Seamus Henchy spoke about “The bitter Irish race-memory of politically appointed and Executive-oriented judges”. 

Perhaps it is that race-memory that lends historical weight to the new system of appointing judges about to be introduced by the Oireachtas at the behest of Shane Ross.

While Mr Justice Henchy was speaking in the context of the constitutional guarantee of trial by jury, it is hardly too much of a stretch to argue that the appointment of judges would also benefit from significant lay input.