Justice Minister Defends Decision On Judge Appointment Process

Leo Varadkar told the Justice Minister that Seamus Woulfe would make a good judge in the build up to his appointment to the Supreme Court.

Helen McEntee told the Dáil Varadkar made the remark when they initially discussed the vacancy on the Court.

McEntee says she then applied her own criteria when considering Mr Woulfe and FIVE other sitting judges to decide who should get the job.

The Minister confirmed there are no existing criteria for judicial appointments within the Department of Justice.

Helen McEntee said there was a discussion between her and the Tánaiste about the process before she presented a name to cabinet