The 15 women barristers who have been made senior counsel are Sara Antoniotti SC, Elva Duffy SC, Nuala Egan SC, Moira Flahive SC, Jane Hyland SC, Lorna Lynch SC, Sinead McGrath SC, Imogen McGrath SC, Mairead McKenna SC, Jennifer O’Connell SC, Leesha O’Driscoll SC, Bairbre O’Neill SC, Ailbhe O’Neill SC, Fiona O’Sullivan SC and Gerardine Small SC.

The 12 men who have been made senior counsel are Garret Baker SC, Garvan Corkery SC, Daniel Cronin SC, Glen Gibbons SC, Michael Hourican SC, Reg Jackson SC, Joe Jeffers SC, David Leahy SC, Padraic Lyons SC, Tony McGillicuddy SC, Gerard Meehan SC and Michael O’Connor SC.

There are now 381 senior counsel at the Bar, of whom 20 per cent are women.

Sara Phelan SC, chair of the Bar Council, said: “Those being called today have distinguished themselves in their field and in the profession, and are to be congratulated on this important professional and personal milestone. The Irish Bar is fortunate to have an increasingly diverse range of experience at such a senior level.

“It is energising and important to note the expanding corps of female senior counsel who, along with their male counterparts, now occupy a position of leadership in the future of the profession, at a time of immense change.

“For the first time, a 20 per cent milestone has been reached in respect of proportion of female silks and this is testament to the experience, support and endorsement by colleagues, both male and female, across the professions.”