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Taoiseach denies there was any political interference in Justice Woulfe's appointment 

Wednesday, 18 November 2020 16:57

There's been further sharp exchanges in the Dáil over the appointment of Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has completely denied there was any political interference in Justice Woulfe's appointment. 

Further calls were also heard today from the opposition for Minister Helen McEntee to come before the Dáil and explain the process around appointing Supreme Court Judge Seamus Woulfe. 

The suggestion has been that there was political interference to see Justice Woulfe get the job ahead of three sitting judges who also expressed interest in it. 

That's something Taoiseach Micheál Martin completely rejects, "It's not very verifiably true that there is horse trading involving the position of Attorney General, not verifiably true," he said.

"And stop misleading the house in that regard, and deliberately, in my view, creating a story that has no foundation in fact".

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald however believes the Taoiseach is showing a more lax attitude to judicial appointments now than when he was on the opposition benches, "The standards then Ceann Comhairle are the standards now," she said. "The Taoiseach's response is incoherent gibberish, and he knows it".

While Seamus Woulfe appears to be out of the firing line Minister Helen McEntee is facing mounting pressure to answer more questions about his appointment.

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