Government to hold referendum on judges' pay
The Government is to hold a referendum on judges' pay on the same day as the electorate vote in the Presidential election, it was announced today.
Although a majority of the judiciary voluntarily contributed sums equivalent to the pension levy, under Article 35.3 of the Constitution, judicial salaries are exempt from these reductions.
If passed, the referendum will result in salary reductions for both existing and newly appointed judges in line with similar reductions in the public service.
It will also provide for further cuts in line with any future pay reductions in the public service.
Justice Minister Alan Shatter said that it is important the judiciary be seen to play its part in recognising the economic difficulties of this State and the particular difficulties attaching to the public finances.
"I welcome the decision made today by Cabinet agreeing to my proposal that the referendum on Judicial pay be held to coincide with the upcoming Presidential election," said Minister Shatter.
"There can be no question, no doubt, that the independence of the judiciary is the cornerstone of our constitutional democracy but it is important that the judiciary is seen by the rest of the community to be playing its part in recognising the economic difficulties of this State and the particular difficulties that are attached to the public finances.
"In no sense should the general public believe that the judiciary are an elite or are immune from the economic cataclysm that has hit this country.
"The Amendment will not allow the judiciary alone to be singled out or targeted for any pay reduction that is unrelated to any reduction in pay in the public service generally and so will not impact on the independence of the judiciary.”
