Catherine Murphy concerned at Government appointing judges

The appointment of a raft of new judges by the Government has raised questions regarding the separation of powers, according to Social Democrat TD Catherine Murphy.

She was responding to a number of judicial appointments agreed at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting at Lissadell House in Co Sligo.

Among the appointments were the promotion of High Court judge, Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley, to the Supreme Court and the nomination of senior counsel Richard Humphreys to be a judge of the High Court.

Both Ms O’Malley and Mr Humphreys have strong connections with the Labour Party.

Mr Humphreys was a Labour councillor on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council representing the Stillorgan area from 2009 until he stepped down from the role earlier this year.

Ms Murphy said her concerns did not reflect on the individuals appointed this week who were not doubt eminently qualified.

“But a system whereby the judiciary is appointment by the Government of the day fundamentally undermines the separation of powers which is a basic requirement of a healthy democracy,” she added.

She said that one of the key policy proposal the Social Democrats put forward last week a a commitment to end the political appointment of judges.

“The current system for appointing judges has not changed in nearly 20 years and despite the fact a review of that system is currently underway, Government insist on continuing with the flawed process of political appointments,” she said.