Hot Press has learnt that independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar he should move to "immediately appoint" Josephine Fehilly, the current boss of the Policing Authority, as Secretary General of the Department of Justice.
Mr Fitzmaurice said: "How Mr Varadkar responds to the challenge posed by the state of chaos in the Department of Justice will define his fate as Taoiseach.
Leo has to make big bold and brave decisions.
"We cannot have a vacant chair at the top table in Justice as well as the Gardai for months and years.
"Josephine Fehilly commands the confidence of the public. She is not part of the confederacy of dunces that have collapsed public confidence in Justice."
Ms Fehilly is currently in charge of the Policing Authority. However, Mr Fitzmaurice warned: "Leaving Ms Fehilly in charge of the PA is like sending the fire brigade to a burning haybarn when the explosives factory beside it is alight.
"We need solutions as well as sackings though we need sackings too.
Josephine Fehilly should be given the job and given whatever tools and resources are required to do that job.
"The Taoiseach should stop dawdling and start doing. His current inaction reminds me of the old saying about fiddling whilst rome burns. But if he is not very careful he may find it is his own seat that will be on fire."
It’s time for Leo Varadkar to intervene and bring clarity to the roll out of the National Broadband Plan, says Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Timmy Dooley TD .
Read More
There are a staggering 656 people waiting for a bed in hospital – that’s the highest number since records began, according to the latest stats from the Irish Nurses and Midwives reveal
Read More
A former teacher and published author has been on hunger strike since 24th of October in an effort to receive a pension and to highlight her plight following accusations of being involved in the infamous Northern Bank robbery.
Read More The Arts Council today has welcomed a new government scheme to allow artists to gain access to social welfare supports.
Read More
Having beaten Simon Coveney 60%-40% in the vote to be leader of Fine Gael, the TD from West Dublin will now step into Enda Kenny's shoes.
Read More The weekend's election results make bleak reading for the outgoing government, and while there's still numbers to be crunched, some are calling for a change. Could the young Dubliner be the change that we're looking for?
Read More
The battle for equal rights, which Hot Press has proudly helped wage since the 1970s, has been won!
Read More The Minister for Health, Leo Varadker, today became the first ever Irish cabinet minister to openly state that he is gay.
Read More As the youngest member of the Fine Gael front-bench, Leo Varadker has a reputation for being forthright and abrasive. But it turns out that the 31-year-old doctor has a sensitive side too, as he discusses sex, politics, the loss of privacy and the boys club that is Dáil Éireann.
Read More In a highly revealing interview in the new issue of Hot Press, Fine Gael front-bencher Leo Varadkar also talks about Fianna Fail's "white lies", claims that Patrick Neary was deliberately appointed to be a "soft touch", and says that the IRA still exists, despite decommissioning.
Read MoreFor information including benefits, key facts, figures and rates for advertising with Hot Press, click below
Advertise 
