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President Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny with His Hon. Judge Alan Mahon a he is appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2014. Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

'Soon the appointment of judges will be removed from the political arena' - Ross

The Judicial Appointments Commission will have a majority of lay people.

THE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS Bill, which Minister Shane Ross states will “virtually remove the appointment of judges from the political arena”, was approved by Cabinet.

Currently, the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board identifies candidates and makes recommendations to government – with Cabinet ministers having the final say.

Instead, it will be the responsibility of a judicial appointments commission to make recommendations of appointments to government, which will be made up of a lay majority.

The bill will also reduce the number of recommendations to three, as opposed to the minimum of seven under the current system.

Transport Minister Shane Ross said the Bill was one of the keystone commitments needed in order for the Independent Alliance to enter into government with Fine Gael.

He has been adamant since entering government that he wanted to change the way judges were appointed and at one stage blocked any further appointments from being made under the current system.

However, he faced opposition due to judicial vacancies arising from some retirements, which then could not be filled due to the block on new appointments, leading to backlogs and resentment in the court system.

New appointments

The Irish Times reported that a number of recent new appointees have links with the Fine Gael party – however, the minister would not be drawn on any specific cases today.

In addition to some current vacancies being filled, a number vacancies that will not occur until later in the year were also approved.

Speaking to reporters today, he said he did not agree with the way in which judges have been appointed up until now.

I do not like the way they are appointing judges at the moment, that they have been appointing judges under the old system while I have been in government. I made it a condition at one stage that they didn’t appoint anymore. We then came to an agreement that they could appoint more judges because there was a case being made by many that they system was being clogged up and we didn’t want to see justice being deprived by anybody.
Last week’s appointments were just that pattern… It is that sort of old system that gives rise to the argument where people automatically assume that because they have been politically appointed, they are politically connected, and therefore they are appointed for that reason.

Ross also said he did not ask if any of the appointees had any political links at today’s Cabinet meeting.

“I had agreed there would be judges appointed under this system provided that this Bill [the Judicial Appointments Bill] was published and went to the Dáil – that was the deal,” said Ross, adding:

I wasn’t misled at all.

He said he was given no assurances by anyone that the appointments were “non-contentious”.

The minster said it was not the case that he was forced to approve the judges in order to get his Bill approved today.

Ross said the new judicial appointments commission will provide transparency in the selection of judges and ensure they are appointed on merit.

The new commission will have an “enormous impact” in ensuring the public have confidence in future appointments.

It is understood the judicial appointments bill will come before the Dáil on 20 June. Ross said he wants the Bill to be enacted as soon as possible.

Read: Beaten, neglected, left home alone – The report ‘every parent in the country needs to read’

Read: More than 50 fall ill after north Dublin salmonella outbreak

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30 Comments
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    Mute Clodagh Carroll
    Favourite Clodagh Carroll
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:15 AM

    Bye and thanks for the many laughs on here, Capt. Adebayo, you legend!!

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    Mute Lloyd Christmas
    Favourite Lloyd Christmas
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:54 PM

    He must have gotten himself a girlfriend and she’s off barking orders

    20
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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:22 AM

    Apparently Capt Adebayo Flynn has run into a bit of bother, some people aren’t happy with his decision http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO12Ba5PwMA

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    Mute Suzanne Ní Dhúil
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:41 AM

    Hilarious!!

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    Mute Jodi Steel
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:44 PM

    That’s brilliant!

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    Mute Dreana O'Gorman
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:45 PM

    Love it! :)

    16
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    Mute Patricia Mc Cann
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    Oct 5th 2013, 3:32 PM

    Ha ha. He will be missed.

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    Mute Deirdre Mac Mahon
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:17 AM

    ADEBAAAAAAAAAYOOOOOOO
    *sniff*
    well the Capt finally got me to open that twitter account.
    long life and prosper, Capt

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    Mute Nelly
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:24 AM

    The capt had the ladies wrapped around his finger

    62
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    Mute Niall H
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:47 AM

    He’s some character. Pity there arent more like him on here. Its all cranky b******s now :)

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    Mute Abi Dennis
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:11 PM

    I’m far more upset about Adebayo leaving than i should be…its worse than when Robbie left Take That!

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    Mute Abbi Cranky
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:32 AM

    Oh Captain, my captain?

    (Standing on chair, fist over heart, sigh)

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:19 PM

    Captain for president , let’s vote him in ….

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    Mute tmwtbc
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:41 AM

    Didn’t know the Captain had quit. Very funny guy and genuinely insightful.

    Good luck, Captain!

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    Mute Tigerisinthezoo
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:21 PM

    After all the love from the women Adebayo is likely to come back in a new twitter life as Commander Adebayo Flynn!

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    Mute Michelle Mc Loughney
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:05 PM

    Say it ain’t so captain. Say it ain’t so:( sobs.

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    Mute TheHassetthoff
    Favourite TheHassetthoff
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:15 PM

    So long Captain, your posts are always top quality and good craic! Call back soon!

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    Mute Little Jim
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:24 PM

    He’s not calling back, ever.
    He’s just too strong.
    *denial, tears, anger, acceptance, pride*

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    Mute Padraig Stapleton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 12:53 PM

    Farewell Adebayo, you legend! A great aul character…

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    Mute Marguerite Hoiby
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:28 PM

    Why has he left?

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 3:08 PM

    So long Capt and your legacy will remain.
    Lelsie, lets ratchet it up a gear.

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    Mute Dave!
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    Oct 5th 2013, 4:27 PM

    You did good captain, consider yourself promoted to commandant.

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    Mute Tommy Hornblower
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:46 PM

    I guess it’s up to Leslie Alan Rock to shepard the flock now…

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    Mute Beep Beep
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:54 PM

    Oh god not Lesley Alan Moron, nobody wants his input

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 3:10 PM

    I disagree with you.
    I find Leslie’s posts quite good (and God knows I have had a few run in’s and don’t always agree)

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:29 PM

    Thank you michael. ..onwards and side wards I shall lead you

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Oct 5th 2013, 11:37 PM

    Let’s Rock Leslie ;-). Take no prisoners.

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    Mute Dwickedchicken
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    Oct 5th 2013, 10:50 PM

    Personally I thought “capt” was an ass hole. :)

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    Mute Shane Hickey
    Favourite Shane Hickey
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    Oct 11th 2013, 11:43 AM

    how do you quit an online forum? Surely it’s accessible from anywhere in the world (and on ISS)?

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