Retired High Court judge Bryan McMahon will chair the commission on the upcoming constitutional referendum on judicial pay, it has been confirmed.
The Referendum Commission will prepare a general explanation of proposals on judges’ remuneration which will be published for voters.
The electorate will vote on the constitutional change on Thursday, October 27th - the same day as the presidential election.
Mr McMahon was nominated by the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Susan Denham.
Other members of the commission are: Comptroller and Auditor General John Buckley; Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly; Clerk of the Dáil, Kieran Coughlan; and the Clerk of the Seanad Deirdre Lane.
The commission will be responsible for explaining the purpose of the referendum to the public, and for summarising arguments for and against the amendment.
The Government is proposing that Article 35.5 of the Constitution be amended by substituting the following: “35.5.1 The remuneration of judges shall not be reduced during their continuance in office save in accordance with this section. 35.5.2 The remuneration of judges is subject to the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges that are imposed by law on persons generally or persons belonging to a particular class.
“35.5.3 Where, before or after the enactment into law of this section, reductions have been or are made by law to the remuneration of persons belonging to classes of persons whose remuneration is paid out of public money and such law states that those reductions are in the public interest, provision may also be made by law to make reductions to the remuneration of judges.”
The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, said: “The Commission will, in addition, consider and rule on applications from bodies or groups for declaration as approved bodies who may appoint agents at the referendum to be present at polling stations and at the counting of votes.”
A second referendum, giving new powers to parliamentary committees to conduct investigations, will also take place on the same day.
Additional reporting: PA