Judges warn of ‘flaws’ in judicial reform

The Government is to press ahead with controversial reforms of the judicial appointments system despite an unprecedented warning from the country’s top judges that the move will have “serious implications for the administration of justice”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s Government now risks a major rift with the most powerful judges after their objection to a proposed new lay-majority body deciding on promotions to the bench.

A row over the Judicial Appointments Commission has also widened among politicians, with Transport Minister Shane Ross now accused of having a “personal agenda” in driving the reforms.