A judge on the High Court since 2018, Mr Justice Allen will fill the vacancy arising from the appointment of Mr Justice Brian Murray to the Supreme Court in February.

Ministers yesterday also agreed a number of nominations for new Circuit Court and District Court judges.

Barrister Kenneth Connolly will join the Circuit Court to fill the vacancy arising from the appointment of Mr Justice Rory MacCabe to the High Court in January.

Meanwhile, solicitors Andrew Cody, Michéle Finan and Conor Fottrell will join the District Court to fill the vacancies which arose in March from the retirement of Judge Kevin Kilrane and the appointment of Judge Catherine Staines and Judge Michael P. Walsh to the Circuit Court.

The government said it has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional practice.