Sir, - There is at present an unprecedented number of judicial vacancies waiting to be filled in the courts - three on the District Court, seven on the Circuit Court, and two on the High Court.
Out of the 89 judges sitting in the courts, only 11 are women. Women make up less than 10 per cent of our prison population and represent an equally small percentage of Irish drink/driving offenders. We read almost every day of crimes of murder, rape and assault of women in this country. And yet the chance of a woman having a case she might bring to a court heard by a female judge is miniscule.
Now that solicitors can apply for judicial appointments, is there a possibility that the public can see the current glaring imbalance in the courts redressed? The recent appointments to the High Court and the Supreme Court would suggest that the Government is not committed to change in this area, despite mutterings to the contrary. All six vacancies were filled by men.
I believe that the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, has a responsibility to the people of this country to advance the courts system by appointing women in all 12 judicial vacancies. - Yours, etc.,
Orwell Park,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.