FG anger as ‘inept’ Ross vows to tackle sentencing
SHANE ROSS and Fine Gael are on another collision course over judges after his pledge to raise the issue of sentencing inconsistencies by district court judges with Frances Fitzgerald.
In a response to Dáil questions by Thomas Broughan over alleged ‘serious inconsistencies’ in district court decisions on speeding offences, the Transport Minister said: ‘I appreciate the concerns and share them.’
Mr Ross pledged to ‘engage with the Minister for Justice to assess how best the Government may assess the consistency and effectiveness of sentencing regarding road traffic offences’.
A spokesman for Mr Ross said: ‘He plans to raise this issue with Minister Fitzgerald at the next ministerial committee on road safety.’
Mr Ross, he said, expects that ‘after discussions, appropriate action may be taken’.
However, in a chilly response to the prospect of further judicial-centred discussions with Mr Ross, Ms Fitzgerald said: ‘My position is that the judiciary are independent in sentencing matters.’
Other Fine Gael sources were more direct, with one claiming: ‘Mr Ross is disguising his ineptitude in transport by raising faux controversies – this is more nonsensical Trump-style populism.’
The senior Government source added: ‘Does he not understand the basic concept of the separation of powers? Judges are independent when it comes to sentencing.’
Mr Ross did not reply to queries on what proposals he will be bringing to Ms Fitzgerald.