Judicial vacancies must be filled so citizens can access the system

As needed as reform of the judicial appointments system is, if Shane Ross holds off on filling vacancies until his bill is through and a new system is in place, it will be more about his ego and politics as usual, not the greater good, writes Michael Clifford

NEW politics has many parents, one of which is Shane Ross, the minister for transport. One of Mr Ross’s contributions to the new dispensation is a pledge to end the system of judicial appointments which many see as one of political patronage. A question arises as to what cost is attached to Mr Ross’s ambition in this regard. Is it worth holding up appointments until a new system is in place, as he is demanding?

Or does that actually frustrate access to the courts for citizens, who already have to jump tall financial hurdles before even getting inside the door of a court? Is Mr Ross’s current stance one of political grandstanding — irrespective of the real cost?