Unparliamentary language graced Cabinet on Thursday.
Mick Wallace was recorded on Oireachtas TV on Thursday afternoon exclaiming that he believes his fellow TDs were “making a bollox” of debating the Judicial Appointments Bill.
The legislation, which is currently in Report Stage before Dáil Éireann, has been strongly promoted by Minister for Transport Shane Ross.
The Wexford Independent TD, famed for his controversial clothing choices while in Government buildings, expressed his opinion using most unparliamentary language following Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan’s suggestion to sit late on Thursday or Friday to pass the bill, should the need be.
Important that detailed debate take place on this important reforming piece of legislation. I’m available to sit late in to Thursday evening & tomorrow Friday if required by Deputies to do so. https://t.co/KmlAsZaCJa
— Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) May 31, 2018
According to the Houses of Oireachtas’ website, the Judicial Appointments Bill entitles an act “to provide for the establishment of an independent judicial appointments commission with responsibility for recommending persons for appointment to judicial office based solely on merit and to provide for related matters.”
In essence, the bill is set to reform the way judges in this country are appointed.
The legislation aims to create a new process in which judges in Ireland are appointed, with a new body given total responsibility for recommending suggested candidates to Irish Government for appointment.
Wallace hasn’t been the first to criticise the bill, with the European Commission expressing concern some two months ago about the new legislation on judicial appointments, claiming it is not in line with European standards.
Back in March, Attorney General Séamus Woulfe also went as far as describing the bill as “a dog’s dinner.”
The Irish Government has insisted the Judicial Appointments Bill will become law by summer 2018, with 105 Amendments set for debate while in Cabinet.
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