The Labour Court dismissed John Ryan’s appeal over his fixed-term work complaint against the Minister for Justice and Equality, finding the complaint not well founded. The determination was dated 18 September 2013.
Ryan, a barrister, argued that his temporary appointment as chairperson of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in September 2010 should have become a contract of indefinite duration. The Minister said the temporary term was justified because the Government expected to replace the tribunal with a new body and planned an open competition for its chairperson.
The Court found that the stated reasons objectively justified the temporary appointment when it was made. Later legislative delays and the decision not to proceed with the proposed new tribunal did not make the renewal unlawful.