The Government has done a U-turn on the idea of holding a referendum to keep water services in public ownership.

Attorney general Séamus Woulfe has suggested lawyers stop using “gobbledegook” language as one way to improve the court process for victims.

The Social Democrats have said the Attorney General was “utterly out of order” making public comments about legislation to appoint judges as well as a live supreme court case.

Several ministers have rejected calls for Attorney General Seamus Woulfe to be shown “the red card” over his comments at a lunch last Friday.

Latest: Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has today admitted that the Judicial Appointments Bill is "in a difficult place".

Transport Minister Shane Ross’s controversial bill to overhaul the appointment of judges is a “dog’s dinner” and needs significant work, if it is to be viable, Attorney General Seamus Woulfe has said.

Even if you don’t regard yesterday’s intervention by the Attorney General Seamus Woulfe on Transport Minister Shane Ross’s controversial bill to overhaul the appointment of judges as something above the pay grade of an unelected law officer, you cannot ignore his core message.

Transport Minister Shane Ross' controversial bill to overhaul the appointment of judges is a “dog's dinner” and needs significant work to be viable, Attorney General Seamus Woulfe has said.