Kenny urges passage of referendums

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore today called for a yes vote in the two referendums on judicial pay and strengthening Oireachtas investigations.

Speaking from Brussels, Mr Kenny said the objective of the referendum on judicial pay is to allow the same pay reductions be applied to judges as those which have been applied to other public servants.

Speaking from Brussels, Mr Kenny said the referendum on judicial pay would ensure fairness. ?If approved of by the Irish people, this provision will ensure that no part of the public service is excluded from pay cuts that apply to other public servants,? he said. ?This provision in no way impinges on the independence of the judiciary in the exercise of their functions.?

In a statement, Mr Gilmore said the constitutional amendment would limits any reduction in judges? pay to circumstances where cuts are applied to public servants. He also insisted the independence of the judiciary will not be compromised. "The other strong protections in the Constitution remain untouched,? he said.

Mr Kenny said allowing Oireachtas Committees to hold inquiries will provide an effective alternative to tribunals in certain circumstances. "[It will ]allow issues of public importance to be put under the spotlight in a public, cost-efficient and timely fashion by democratically elected representatives of the Irish people," he said. ?It will deliver on political reform by making our system more open, transparent and effective on behalf of the public.?

Mr Gilmore rejected suggestions that politicians are not capable of conducting inquiries, citing the ?effective and cost efficient? Dirt inquiry and the ?non-partisan? work of the Public Accounts Committee. He said the way in which politicians conduct the new inquiries will be governed by law and high procedural hurdles will be set.

?It is important to note that the focus here is not on individuals. The purpose of the amendment is to allow committees to inquire into public policy events not individuals. However, that may involve a finding against an individual as individuals do make mistakes,? he said.

?There is no case that people will not be allowed vindicate their rights before the courts in this process. The procedures will be governed by law and all statute is subject to review by the courts.?

However, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Association said there was a rising tide of opposition to strengthening Oireachtas powers.

?We are confident that, as more people read their Referendum Commission booklet and think through the implications of this power grab by the Oireachtas, support for the Government?s proposals will continue to plummet,? director Mark Kelly said. ?To those whose lives are too busy to allow them to reflect on major Constitutional reform in less than a week, our message is simple: if in doubt, vote No.?

A Behaviour and Attitudes poll published today shows 87 per cent of respondents intend to vote in favour of the judicial pay referendum, with just 8 per cent planning to vote against and 5 per cent are undecided.

On strengthening Oireachtas investigations, 76 per cent are in favour, while 18 per cent are opposed and the remainder ? 6 per cent ? are still undecided.