Sinn Féin and Solidarity PBP support Fine Gael judges’ Bill

Fine Gael had the support of Sinn Féin and Solidarity People Before Profit to pass the second stage vote in the Dáil on the controversial Judicial Appointments Commission Bill by 83 votes to 53.

Fianna Fáil is firmly opposed to the legislation and the party had previously introduced its own Bill.

There is now no chance, however, of the Bill getting through the Dáil and Seanad before the summer recess, due to begin next week, and it is expected to proceed to its next stage in the autumn.

The Bill had originally been planned to pass second, or introductory, debate stage last week, but it was delayed because of extended speeches by members of parties on all sides including Fine Gael, which extended debate into a second week.

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In the vote on Thursday Sinn Féin, Solidarity People Before Profit, Labour and a number of Independents supported the Bill.

The legislation aims to replace the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board with a lay commission of 13 members, with a lay majority and a lay chairperson, which Fianna Fáil objects to.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross, the legislation's champion and chief supporter, had expected it to be passed before the summer, but has not commented on the delay.

The Bill will replace the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and create a new lay-dominated commission that will propose names to the Government for appointment to the judiciary.

Mr Ross has repeatedly denied that he has a “vendetta” against the judiciary, though he insisted last week that political influence on judicial appointments must end.

However, responsibility for choosing the judges must remain with the Government under the Constitution.