Three judicial appointments were only approved by Cabinet yesterday following “an almighty dust-up” between Fine Gael and Independent Alliance ministers, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

Shane Ross’s Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2016 is part of a broader agenda, writes Gerard Howlin.

The Government has been accused of “deliberately deciding to evade the law” by appointing Máire Whelan to the Court of Appeal.

Micheál Martin has made a surprising and highly personal attack on Máire Whelan in the Dáil, claiming she is no match to some previous judicial appointments.

Shane Ross has said he will address the controversy surrounding Máire Whelan at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

We just knew that the best interests of the operation of the gardaí would conflate with those of Lord Ross, writes Michael Clifford.

Latest: The prospect of a general election in a matter of weeks has increased with Fianna Fáil saying it cannot support the way the former attorney general Máire Whelan was made a judge.

The Government has come under fire from opposition for appointing Máire Whelan to the appeals court during the final Cabinet meeting under Enda Kenny’s leadership.

Former Attorney General Máire Whelan remained at the Cabinet table as ministers discussed her appointment to the Court of Appeal, the Irish Examiner has learned.

The Government's own legal advisor was given a high-paying job as a judge - without applying for it.

The Government is set to finally approve legislation which will radically overhaul the manner in which judges are appointed.

The programme for government, agreed upon by both Fine Gael and Independent TDs has been set out. Based on a timeframe of five years, the 150 page document outlines policies in a number of key areas.

Latest: Outgoing Junior Minister Simon Harris and Meath East TD Regina Doherty look set to be promoted to the senior Cabinet tomorrow by Enda Kenny, writes Daniel Mc Connell.

Developer and New Land League campaigner Jerry Beades has launched a legal challenge against the Government’s nomination of Justice Peter Kelly as the next president of the High Court.

The establishment of a new Court of Appeal marks the "most important development" in the structure of the courts since the foundation of the State, the Chief Justice said yesterday.

Independent TDs have called for the political appointments of judges and gardaí to be stopped and for top posts to awarded on merit alone.

The director general of the Law Society has joined calls for a major overhaul of judicial appointments to ensure the system is free of political bias.

The chief justice has called for a radical overhauling of the way in which judges are appointed, warning that “political allegiance should have no bearing on appointments.”

The Minister for Justice has strongly denied claims made by a High Court judge that his Government is attempting to undermine the independence of the judiciary.

WHEN one reaches the point of drawing up a bucket list for whatever time remains on this earth, there’s usually travel or learning; sometimes adventure, sexual or otherwise.

The Government has nominated barrister Colm MacEochaidh, a former Fine Gael election candidate, for appointment to the High Court.

THE Government acknowledged yesterday that it was fully aware of Judge Alan Mahon's 1992 tax settlement at the time he was appointed.