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The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has welcomed today’s appointment by the President of Ms Justice Caroline Costello and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy to the Court of Appeal as well as the appointment of Mr Justice Garrett Simons to the High Court.

Speaking after today’s appointment ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin, Minister Flanagan said:

I am delighted that the Government agreed to put forward these judges for appointment to the Court of Appeal and the High Court and I wish them well in their new roles. I am particularly delighted that today’s appointment of Ms Justice Caroline Costello and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy to the Court of Appeal brings about a situation where we now have a 50/50 gender balance in that Court.

The Government is committed to filling vacancies in the courts in a timely manner so that the courts have sufficient judicial resources to ensure access to justice. There have been 49 judicial appointments since 2016 – with 14 judicial appointments in 2016, 16 in 2017 and 19 to date in 2018 (which includes those who have been appointed today on foot of Government recommendations).

The Minister added:

The Government is committed to ensuring access to justice including through providing sufficient judicial resources and I note the good progress made in the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill which is currently at Committee Stage in the Seanad.

The vacancies in the Court of Appeal arise following the retirement of the Hon Mr Justice Gerard Hogan and Mr Justice John Hedigan whilst the vacancy in the High Court arises following the retirement of the Hon Mr Justice Paul Butler.