Two TDs raised issues of public and constitutional importance in their unsuccessful legal challenge to the attendance of “super junior” ministers at Government meetings, and should be awarded half of their legal costs incurred in the actions, the High Court has ruled. Accordingly, High Court president Judge David Barniville, ruling with Judge Siobhán Phelan and Judge Conleth Bradley, said the State should pay 50% of the TDs’ legal costs incurred in their cases. The deputies brought separate but similar challenges arguing Article 28 of Bunreacht na hÉireann limits the number of Government members to 15 and that the attendance of super junior ministers at Cabinet meetings goes against this. In December, the court held that no provision of the Constitution is breached by the attendance and participation of the junior ministers at Cabinet meetings. Ministers of State attending Cabinet — or super junior ministers — are appointed by the Government on the nomination of the Taoiseach.

Source: Irish Examiner March 06, 2026 23:56 UTC