Fine Gael has called for a referendum on the issue of judges' pay.
Around half of the judiciary have already taken a voluntary pay cut, but the Constitution states that a judge's pay cannot be officially reduced while in office, to preserve the independence of the judiciary.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Fine Gael's Alan Shatter said that extraordinary economic circumstances mean the rules need to be changed.
In September, figures from the Revenue Commissioners showed that 72 of the country's 144 judges signed up to take voluntary pay cuts. The payments amount to just under €330,000.
Earlier this year, provisional figures showed that 19 judges had volunteered to make a contribution back to the State.
The arrangements allowed members of the judiciary to make a voluntary contribution. The arrangements were made earlier this year after it emerged that judges would be exempt from the pension levy.
