The Golfgate controversy proves that Irish judges and politicians are too close to each other, according to a former Government minister.

There were over 80 people at the Oireachtas Golf Society Dinner in County Galway last week, including a Government Minister, a Supreme Court Judge, a TD and a range of Senators and officials.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court ordered an investigation into Judge Séamus Wolfe’s attendance at the dinner, while the European Commission President is awaiting a “detailed report” from EU Commissioner Phil Hogan.

Phil Hogan (left) and Seamus Woulfe attend the funeral of Peter Sutherland at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook Dublin, 11-01-2018. Image: Niall Carson/PA Archive/PA Images

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, former Transport Minister Shane Ross said the scandal highlights a cosy relationship between judges and politicians.

“I think that is indicative of the fact that there is a closeness between members of the Oireachtas and the Government and judges,” he said. “That is the reason I have been trying to change the means of appointment of so long.

“They are too close to each other, they know each other too well, they obviously mix in social ways.

“It was a mistake what Séamus Woulfe did but it is obviously something that came naturally to him and I hope it doesn’t come naturally to other Supreme Court judges or other judges as well.”

Then-Transport Minister Shane Ross announcing a series of new initiatives to improve rural transport in May 2019 | Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary resigned his position as agriculture minister in the wake of the scandal with Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer stepping down as Leas-Cathoirleach of the Seanad.

Mr Ross said Mr Justice Woulfe should now resign his position.

“We are now in a situation where we are looking at everything to do with the judiciary and whether they are in a position where they can they be removed or should be removed,” he said. ““Whether they should be set the same high standards that are set for politicians.

“I think it would be rather absurd if the situation now arose where the judiciary was not as accountable as politicians.

“Several politicians have now resigned from their positions and Séamus Woulfe, who has only been in there a few weeks, is now being asked the same questions.

“He is saying no, he made a mistake and he is obviously reluctant to resign. I think it is now incumbent on him to do so and to take the same road as politicians have been, quite rightly, asked to take.”

Both Deputy Calleary and Senator Buttimer remain elected officials despite giving up their appointed positions.

Investigation

He said the Supreme Court investigation, to be carried out by former Chief Justice Susan Denham, will simply kick the can down the road for Mr Justice Woulfe.

“I don’t understand the reasoning for it,” he said. “I think it is delaying things; I think it’s the wrong way to approach it and I don’t think the Chief Justice or an ex-chief justice is the right person to be holding an internal inquiry of that sort.

“I think it was obviously wrong to attend and it is indicative of the fact that politicians and judges are too close.

“Mr Justice Woulfe is not a member of the Oireachtas so I think it was a mistake to be there and, obviously, it was an even bigger mistake on his behalf, when he went into the room and saw there was a breach of guidelines, to sit down and have dinner.”

Sanction

The three Fianna Fáil senators and three Fine Gael senators who attended the dinner have lost their party whips.

Meanwhile, RTÉ has announced that it will not be moving forward with plans for a new show with former presenter Seán O’Rouke, who was also in attendance.