MINISTER FOR Justice Alan Shatter has welcomed the decision of the Dáil and Seanad to approve the Bill allowing for the referendum on judges’ pay.
The Minister was speaking from Brussels after the final stage of the 29th Amendment of the Constitution (Judicial Remuneration) Bill 2011 had been passed by the Seanad.
Mr Shatter said the decision meant the proposed amendment allowing for the reduction of judges’ pay in line with pay cuts in the rest of the public service had been cleared to go before the electorate in a referendum.
“I greatly welcome the very strong support expressed on all sides of both Houses for this measure which, if approved by the people on October 27th, will allow judges to pay their fair share in contributing towards our country’s economic recovery,” said the Minister.
It was extremely heartening, he added, to note the unanimous support of all TDs and Senators for the principle of judicial independence, with many of the speakers in both Houses noting the huge contribution of the judiciary to upholding the State in very perilous situations since its foundation.
“The proposal will protect the independence of the judiciary whilst also ensuring application to the judiciary of the public service pension levy and the same salary reductions as apply to those in the public service,” he said.
If the referendum wording is approved by the electorate on October 27th, it will mean an annual saving of €5.5 million for the exchequer.
“The Government was committed to putting this proposal before the Irish people and I am grateful to my Oireachtas colleagues for their support in doing so at this early stage,” said Mr Shatter.
Under the provisions of article 46 of the Constitution, a Bill to amend the Constitution will be put to the people for approval once it has been approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
If there is a Yes majority on October 27th, the Bill will be signed into law by the President.
The completion of the process will allow for the introduction of the implementing measures contained in the draft Bill which was published by Mr Shatter on August 4th.
It proposes to apply to the judiciary the reductions already imposed on the public service in 2009.
The electorate will also be asked to vote on the 30th Amendment to the Constitution, which will give greater powers to Oireachtas committees to make findings of fact.
The Bill containing this measure has been passed by the Dáil but has yet to pass the Seanad.
