Shane Ross has denied there was a rift between him and the Taoiseach over the appointment of judges.

A summary of the Judicial Appointment Bill has gone to cabinet this morning, suggesting an independently led body oversees judicial appointments.

In the Dáil last month, Enda Kenny moved to distance himself from Shane Ross’ views that judges need a register of interests.

Shane Ross said he was on the same page as the Taoiseach when it came to appointments.

He said: “It’s not a matter of winning at all. The Taoiseach have agreed about this issue all along in terms of the Programme for Government. The difficulties have been with outsiders.”