THE CONSTITUTIONAL amendment on judges’ remuneration has been approved by a margin of almost four to one but the proposal to extend the powers of parliamentary inquiries has been rejected by 53 per cent to 47 per cent.
The Government has welcomed the outcome on judges’ pay and has promised to “reflect and carefully consider” the rejection of the inquiries amendment.
The figures were announced at the main count centre in Dublin Castle at the weekend by returning officer Ríona Ní Flanghaile from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The results for the 29th Amendment of the Constitution (Judges’ Remuneration) Bill 2011 were: 1,393,877 in favour and 354,134 against, a majority of 1,039,743 from a total valid poll of 1,748,011.
In percentage terms, this represented 79.74 per cent for and 20.26 per cent against, a margin of 59.48 per cent from a total poll of 55.96 per cent of the electorate.
The figures for the 30th Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011 to increase the powers of Oireachtas inquiries were: 928,175 against and 812,008 in favour, a majority of 116,167 for rejection, from a total valid poll of 1,740,183. The equivalent in percentage terms was 53.34 per cent against and 46.66 per cent in favour, a margin of 6.68 per cent for rejection, from a total poll of 55.94 per cent.
Written reports from returning officers are due to be delivered by Defence Force couriers to the department’s headquarters at the Custom House by this morning. Provided there are no issues with the count, the provisional figures will be affirmed by the Master of the High Court and published in Iris Oifigiúil on Friday.
Welcoming the outcome on judges’ remuneration, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter said: “I welcome the substantial public support for the Government’s proposal on judges’ pay. I was struck during the run-up to the ballot by the appreciation that this proposal was fundamentally about fairness and ensuring that our judiciary were not perceived as immune from the financial difficulties affecting the State . . .”
A statement from the Department of the Taoiseach said: “It is disappointing that the 30th amendment has been narrowly defeated but the Constitution is something that belongs to the people and we acknowledge and accept the people’s democratic decision. We will reflect and carefully consider the outcome of this referendum.”