Referendum on judges' pay

Sir,  – Tomás de Tiúit (July 14th)  asks if a start could be made by cutting the pay of female judges before the referendum …

Sir,  – Tomás de Tiúit (July 14th)  asks if a start could be made by cutting the pay of female judges before the referendum takes place, as Article 35.5 of the Constitution refers only to the male gender and states that a judge’s salary shall not be reduced during his continuance in office.

The simple answer to the question is “no”.  The Interpretation Act 1937 states that  every word importing the masculine gender,unless the contrary intention appears, shall be construed as importing the female gender. This is otherwise known as equality under the law. – Yours, etc,

JOE MURRAY (BL),

Beggars Bush Court,

Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4.