Attorney General Máire Whelan was privy to talks on her new position

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

It has emerged that Ms Whelan, who faced much criticism for her handling of scandals within An Garda Síochána in recent years, did not recuse herself from Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting as ministers decided on her appointment.