Mr. Gary Tobin:

We are civil servants so we are simply trying to give the committee our view on the Constitution, as it is currently written, and particularly on Article 43 in terms of private property.

I am sure that it is no surprise to the Deputy that private property rights, under the Irish Constitution, are very rigorous. I am sure there have been many debates in the Oireachtas over many decades on whether those rights are too strong or strong enough. We are simply trying to give the committee our view on the constitutional provisions as we understand they now exist. Obviously it is a matter for the Oireachtas and Government if they wish to propose constitutional amendments on shelter for-----