The Supreme Court will decide on April 3rd who is to pay the costs of Judge Brian Curtin's failed challenge to the constitutionality of the Oireachtas Committee established to inquire into his conduct.
Judge Curtin is seeking the costs from the State, but this will be strongly resisted by both the Government and the Oireachtas Committee chaired by Fianna Fáil TD Denis O'Donovan.
The committee has not yet decided on senior counsel to replace Kevin Feeney, who has been appointed to High Court judge. The committee has drawn up a shortlist of around five candidates to replace Mr Feeney.
Shane Murphy SC, who has already deputised for the departing Mr Feeney, is the preferred candidate for the position, if available. A statement will be released on the matter "in due course".
Judge Curtin was charged with possession of child pornography in November 2002, but the case against him was thrown out in April 2003 because the warrant used to search his home and seize his personal computer was out of date.
In June of that year, the Government proposed the setting-up of a seven-person Oireachtas committee to inquire into Judge Curtin's conduct.
A lengthy High Court challenge was taken by Judge Curtin's representation to determine whether the committee's inquiry was constitutional.
After the inquiry was ruled constitutional Judge Curtin appealed to the Supreme Court, which upheld the decision on March 9th.