Response by Chief Justice welcomed

The Minister for Justice warmly welcomed the Chief Justice's announcement of a judicial committee, but Opposition politicians were slightly more guarded.

Mr O'Donoghue said the committee, which will prepare the way for the establishment of a complaints system, would consider the recommendations of the Den ham report and the practices operating in other jurisdictions. He assured the Chief Justice of his Department's full co-operation.

Fine Gael's justice spokesman, Mr Jim Higgins, said the eventual establishment of a supervisory body which would receive complaints from the public was "important in underpinning confidence in the judicial system". He added: "One has to ask whether the public interest is adequately represented by the presence of the Attorney General."

Labour's justice spokesman, Mr Brendan Howlin, praised the speed with which Mr Justice Hamilton responded to the Denham report, but voiced concern that the "consumer interest" should be represented in the investigation of complaints. With the exception of the Attorney General - part of whose function was to represent the public - the six-member committee would be composed entirely of judges, he said.