Referendum on judicial pay expected to be passed

The first result of the referendum on judicial pay is due and is expected to be accepted.

Voters are expected to have backed Government plans to cut judicial pay, but the second one to give powers of investigation to the Oireachtas looks increasingly likely to be rejected.

A result of the judicial pay referendum is expected to be overwhelmingly accepted by a margin of four to one.

However, so far 54% are rejecting the 30th Amendment to give more powers of investigation to the Oireachtas, with 46% in favour.

Wexford bucked the trend and is the only constituency so far to vote in favour.

Already the blame game has started, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said his Cabinet colleage Brendan Howlin was in charge of the 30th Amendement, and he in turn has blamed the chair of the Referendum Commission.