Update 10.39pm: A spokesperson for Shane Ross has responded to Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s statement in the Dáil earlier today, during which he distanced himself from the Transport Minister’s recent comments on the judiciary.
“Despite the Taoiseach’s comments today, the Minister reiterates his conviction that judges should be obliged to declare their interests like other public servants, on a yearly basis,” the spokesperson stated.
“Furthermore, he is determined that the discredited system of appointing judges should be urgently replaced as agreed in the Programme for Government.”
Earlier:
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has publicly rebuked Transport Minister Shane Ross over comments he made about the judiciary, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor.
Mr Ross has made reforming of judicial appointments a priority and said recently that judges needed reminding of their oath.
However, at Leaders’ Questions, Mr Kenny pointedly disassociated himself from his minister in the Dáil chamber. Labour leader Brendan Howlin said Mr Ross was undermining the judiciary with assertions that they lived a “charmed life”.
Mr Ross wants a new declaration of interests for judges because they “they might forget their oath” of office to administer justice without fear or favour.
Mr Howlin insisted that the Transport Minister’s statements were inappropriate.
In response, Mr Kenny said he has the “upmost respect” for the members of the judiciary.
He told the Dail: “I do not accept that members of the judiciary would forget their judicial oath in respect of decisions that they make.
Then he went as far as slapping down Mr Ross directly.
“In that respect I dissociate myself from the remarks of Minister Ross,” the Taoiseach said.
“I find that the vast majority cases are dealt with in the best fashion by the courts. Some of these are appealed and some are overturned.”
“I’m quite sure that members of the judiciary themselves are very cognisant of the fact that there are superior courts up to Supreme Court and even the European courts where cases have been overturned,” Mr Kenny said.
“I don’t have much association with members of the judiciary obviously. I expect them to do their job fully and completely and in the best interests of the law of the country that they serve,” he added.
