‘Massive mistake’ to split justice ministry

Leo Varadkar’s plans to divide the Department of Justice have been severely criticised by three former ministers at the department, one of whom said it would be a “massive mistake”.

The Government is under fire after committing to implement the 2014 Toland report which recommended dividing the department up and creating a separate Home Affairs division.

After Frances Fitzgerald’s resignation in November, the Taoiseach committed to the proposal but former justice ministers Dermot Ahern, Gerard Collins, and Nora Owen have all expressed concerns at the proposal. The comments are contained in a report on the crisis-ridden department in today’s Irish Examiner.