The Government has nominated Susan Denham for appointment as the next Chief Justice.

She will be the first woman to hold the position.

In a statement, the Government said it has taken the necessary steps to advise President Mary McAleese to appoint Mrs Justice Denham in accordance with Constitutional procedures.

She will take over from the current Chief Justice, Mr Justice John Murray, on the completion of his seven-year term of office.

Mrs Denham, who is 65, is the most senior member of the Supreme Court, having been appointed to the High Court in April 1991 and to the Supreme Court in December 1992.

The Director General of the Law Society of Ireland, Ken Murphy, said the appointment of Mrs Denham to herald an era of reform.

‘She is an ideal appointment with all the personal and professional qualities that will be required of a Chief Justice in the difficult times ahead both for the judiciary but the country,’ Mr Murphy said.