Taoiseach distances himself from minister’s comments about judiciary

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has distanced himself from a Cabinet colleague’s remarks about the judiciary.

Mr Kenny yesterday told the Dáil that he wanted to “dissociate myself from the remark made by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross”.

Independent TD Shane Ross faced backlash after saying judges “might forget their oath” if a judicial register of interests is not set up.

Mr Ross supports an annual declaration of interests by judges.

When asked by RTÉ’s Morning Ireland why judges’ constitutional oath was not sufficient, he said judges “might forget” it.

Mr Kenny told TDs: “I do not accept that members of the Judiciary would forget their judicial oath in respect of decisions they make. In that context, I dissociate myself from the remark made by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross.”

He added: “I do not have much association with members of the Judiciary. I expect them to do their job fully and in the best interests of the law of the country they serve.”