THE HIGH COURT is due to deliver a verdict later today on cases taken by two opposition TDs who are seeking quash the appointment of so-called ‘super junior ministers’.

Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy brought separate legal cases against the government to ask the High Court to declare that the attendance of four Ministers of State at government meetings as unconstitutional.

The TDs argued that the constitution is clear in its description of government and places a limit on the number of ministers who can attend and vote at cabinet meetings.

In response, the government argued that the cases lack coherence and rely on “obscure” distinctions of what a super junior minister is considered to be.

Ministers are appointed by the President of Ireland to sit as the country’s government. Ministers of State, however, are appointed by the Taoiseach and can be nominated by the cabinet.

There are currently 15 senior ministers at cabinet level, but Ministers of State, often referred to as junior ministers, can be selected to attend weekly government meetings. The practice has been frequent since the early 2000s.

Murphy and Daly have argued that the so-called super junior ministers are unconstitutional over constitutional rules over the conduct, business and voting method of cabinet.

The judges in both cases have reserved their judgments, meaning the court’s decision will be published and issued to the named parties involved at a later date.

With reporting from  Muiris O’Cearbhaill