Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would be most reluctant to involve the President in any of the discussion. It should be for us to make the determination.

I do not have a closed view on it. The general point is that one does not bring the Office of the President into controversy. That is merely the prevailing standard. That is why one does not mention the Office of the President in debates of the House. It is above politics.

There is an argument, one I have rehearsed with my officials, about whether the administrative side - for example, the nuts and bolts of support for the President - could be encompassed without the Office of the President being involved. If that is the view of members, I will pursue that, without talking directly to the President, between now and Report Stage. I would be interested in hearing views. If members feel that is not appropriate, I would like to hear that too.