THE retired Supreme Court judge Mr Justice Seamus Egan, has criticised Minister of State Mr Gay Mitchell for his comments in the Dail about judicial interference in the executive and legislature.
Speaking on yesterday's Morning Ireland radio programme, Mr Justice Egan said that it was often the executive which interfered with the judiciary by cutting lengthy jail sentences.
"The first thing that strikes me about Mr Mitchell's comments is the reference that judges are well remunerated. I have seen men who are earning vast sums of money as practising lawyers taking up positions as judges to their very serious financial detriment.
"I think Mr Mitchell (Minister of State for Foreign Affairs) is wrong in his reference to remuneration."
When asked to what authority judges must account, he said they administer the law which is made by the legislature.
"Judges are incapable of interfering with the legislature unless in cases where the Constitution requires it. I can't think of any way in which the judiciary could interfere with the executive."