Attorney General tipped to become Court of Appeal judge

Attorney General Máire Whelan could leave her post in order to sit on the bench as a Court of Appeal judge, The Irish Times reports.

Legal sources have expressed their surprise that Ms Whelan was reappointed to the role when the Fine Gael-led Government was formed, as she was originally nominated by the Labour Party.

The Irish Times reports that some barristers now believe she is “holding a place” until she can be appointed to the Court of Appeal.

This would then render her post vacant for a Fine Gael nominee.

It is unclear whether this process would have to wait until after a new judicial appointments commission is created in line with recently-announced Government plans.

The Irish Times names Séamus Woulfe and Frank Callanan as possible successors to Ms Whelan.