The Fianna Fáil leader has accused Shane Ross of undermining the independence of judges.

Micheal Martin’s comments follow criticism by the Chief Justice that the position of judges is being misrepresented.

It’s understood to be a reference to Minister Ross’s claims that the judiciary was holding up the introduction of a judicial council – which judges have actually been seeking for years.

Micheal Martin says the Transport Minister’s comments are threatening to undermine a core part of democracy: “I think Shane Ross is basically endangering a very basic principle of democracy, namely the seperation of powers.

“We have to be extremely careful.

“There is a certain element that Minister Ross kind of having a great issue that he feels he can kind of keep using every now and again as a political platform.

“There is a danger however, in undermining our judiciary, and there needs to be a balance in how we approach this.”