Dáil to pass reforms on ways in which judges are appointed

Reforms to the way in which judges are appointed look set to be passed by the Dáil after Sinn Féin confirmed it will back the plans when they are put to a vote.

The confirmation was made during the cross-party justice committee meeting, despite Fianna Fáil insisting the Independent Alliance-sought legal changes are not in the public’s best interests and were only agreed to by Fine Gael because it “would have drained the Shannon to get into power”.

Under measures pushed by Transport Minister and Independent Alliance TD Shane Ross, the Government is seeking to replace the existing system with a new lay majority appointments committee.