Ireland

Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin warns Leo Varadkar in row over judge appointment

The Republic's former attorney general Maire Whelan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins, after Ms Whelan was appointed a Court of Appeal judge at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin Picture by Niall Carson/PA
The Republic's former attorney general Maire Whelan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins, after Ms Whelan was appointed a Court of Appeal judge at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin Picture by Niall Carson/PA The Republic's former attorney general Maire Whelan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins, after Ms Whelan was appointed a Court of Appeal judge at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin Picture by Niall Carson/PA

Micheál Martin has warned new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar he could get "sent off the pitch sooner rather than later" in a row over the appointment of a judge.

In a thinly veiled threat to the deal propping up the minority Fine Gael government, the Fianna Fail leader accused Mr Varadkar of disrespecting the Opposition.

The appointment of Maire Whelan as a Court of Appeal judge has sparked a row between the parties who have a confidence and supply arrangement.

Ms Whelan was formerly attorney general - the government's chief legal advisor.

Mr Martin said the "insider appointment that stinks to high heaven" was made with indecent haste and ignored past controversies linked to Ms Whelan.

The applications of three High Court judges for the job were not considered, he said.

"You arrogantly dismissed concerns of Cabinet colleagues, arrogantly ignored the imperative on you in terms of accountability to this house and failed to respect those who facilitated your election as Taoiseach," Mr Martin told Mr Varadkar during his first Leaders Questions in the Dail.

The Fianna Fail leader added: "Stop trying to play fast and loose with the rules.

"Because people who play fast and loose with the rules eventually get sent off the pitch, sooner rather than later."

But Mr Varadkar insisted the process followed was lawful and long standing.

All applications for the role were considered by Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, who decided Ms Whelan was the stand-out candidate, he added.

The Taoiseach said new legislation on judicial appointments will be brought before the Dail next week to make sure no similar controversies arise in future.

"We will make these changes and make sure there are no future controversies about political appointments," he said.

Separately, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams told Mr Varadkar he was elected Taoiseach with just 36% backing of the Dail and had no popular mandate.

Mr Varadkar said the government will seek a popular mandate "in due course" but would be getting on with governing "for the foreseeable future".