Pa Daly: Why Sinn Féin is challenging the Government on super junior ministers

If we allow the lines to be blurred, we invite further erosion of the democratic checks and balances that are essential to our system of government and to our democracy, writes Pa Daly

President Michael D Higgins (centre), the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and the new Cabinet receive their Seal of Office at a ceremony held in Aras an Uachtarain in January. File picture: Maxwell’s

This week I will bring a constitutional challenge against the Government in the High Court regarding the appointment of super junior ministers.

The case challenges what I believe is a deeply problematic and unconstitutional practice that has taken root in recent decades - the attendance and participation of so-called super junior ministers at meetings of the Government.