JAC fields ‘not as strong’ in some areas
The chair of the body responsible for selecting and recommending judges for appointment has expressed concern about “structural obstacles” that discourage talented candidates from applying for judicial posts.
Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell was writing in the annual report of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), which began its work last year.
The chief justice said that, while it was heartening to see “high-calibre” candidates putting their names forward, “the supply of candidates for some jurisdictions is not as strong as the commission would desire, and the public interest would require”.
Process ‘demanding’
While not specifying the obstacles, he described the process of making an application as “demanding, both for applicants and their referees”.
“It is very important to the overall project of appointing judges for a 21st century Ireland that the best qualified candidates are not discouraged from applying,” the JAC chair stated.
Along with the annual report, the JAC has also published a report on its selection processes in 2025, with insights from the first round of competitions that it says are aimed at helping future applicants.
‘Immense’ workload
The chief justice said that the pace at which the commission was required to work in its first year imposed “very substantial strains” on staff and commission members, and highlighted the importance of ensuring that it was “appropriately resourced”.
Commission director Seán Duggan also called for more resources, describing the body’s workload in its first year of operation as “immense”.
He welcomed the Department of Justice’s approval of the business case for two additional staff, with recruitment scheduled for this year.
The annual report shows that the JAC completed five selection processes, providing nominees to fill 12 vacancies, during 2025, while it also started a further three selection processes.
2023 act
The JAC was set up under the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2023 to select and recommend people for all judicial offices in Ireland, and in the EU and international courts.
Under the system, three people are recommended for a vacancy, while an additional two recommendations are made for a second and additional vacancies. This would mean seven recommendations for three vacancies.
Only individuals recommended by the JAC are put forward by the Government for appointment by the President.