President’s concerns about legislative process baffling

• Author: Brian Hunt
• Published date: 03 August 2021
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Michael D Higgins has already served almost 10 years as President and prior to being elected to serve as head of State, he served as a member of the Dáil for approximately 25 years - the President is undoubtedly well-accustomed to the uneven flow of legislation.

The prospect of the Council of State having to meet over Christmas is not new - over the past three years (and indeed in the many years prior to that), the Dáil and Seanad have been passing legislation up until the days leading up to Christmas. Similarly, the practice of the incumbent Government rushing to pass legislation in the weeks leading up to the summer recess or the Christmas break is not new - it is a practice that has been prevalent for many years now. But that is not to say that it is a practice that should be continued.

While the President's obligation to consider the constitutionality of any proposed legislation does necessitate an in-depth consideration of each Bill's proposals, the day on which the President is presented with legislation for his signature is presumably not the first time he lays eyes on the legislation.

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