Ross’s pet project is tied up as Seanad legal eagles stymie bill

Eight months, 63 amendments and 75 hours of Seanad time later, the judicial appointments bill is still going nowhere

The Seanad chamber in Leinster House, where Shane Ross has been trying to get his judicial appointments bill through but it’s being filibustered by Senator Michael McDowell Pic: Collins/Rollingnews

The judicial appointments issue is to Shane Ross what the border wall is to Donald Trump. The Minister for Transport has been obsessed with the idea of passing the bill, which is designed to change how the country’s judges are appointed, before he finishes up in office.

He has invested huge capital in the project, but after passing through the Dáil last year it has ground to a halt in the Seanad.

The ...