Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald this afternoon said that Deputy Pa Daly TD has initiated legal action against government in relation to the attendance of so-called ‘Super Junior Ministers’ at government meetings.

This follows last week’s decision by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to appoint a record number of so-called ‘Super Juniors’ as part of their grubby deal with Michael Lowry’s Regional Group.

Ms. McDonald said:

“This afternoon, Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly initiated legal action in relation to the attendance of so-called ‘Super Junior Ministers’ at government meetings. This follows last week’s decision by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to appoint a record number of‘Super Juniors’ as part of their grubby deal with Michael Lowry’s Regional Group.

“It is apparent that government is using the role of “Super Junior Ministers” as a work around the Constitution, which is very clear that government can consist of a maximum of fifteen members.

“Government manoeuvres allow individuals to sit at the cabinet table and be treated as though they are government ministers enjoying all of the rights of a Minister, save the ability to cast a vote. We believe that this is in contravention of the Constitution.

“The government motivation is not about delivering for people. It’s not about making government work better. It is about greasing the wheels of power. It smacks of arrogance and entitlement by those who believe that the rules don’t apply to them .

“We believe that it is now time for the courts to rule on this matter.”