New Commission Established To Review Judicial Appointments

The Justice Minister has said reform of judicial appointments will make it much clearer to the public why specific judges are appointed.

A new Judicial Appointments Commission will be set up to consider applications from sitting judges and other applicants.

Set criteria for elevation to the bench will be published and five names will be recommended by the Commission to the Justice Minister for each vacancy.

Minister Helen McEntee says the reform also aims to ensure more diversity among the judiciary.

The reforms come after considerable controversy about the way in which Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe was appointed and questions about the transparency of the process and political involvement in it.