Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Yes. They are all part of the Commonwealth and the old British empire. We however, are not and I have not heard the Minister refer to republican countries like ours. Has the Minister of State seen the written advice of the Attorney General? Has he had an opportunity to examine and discuss it? The reason he has given to the House does not stand up, from my limited conversations with lawyers and modest knowledge of history. He refers to the British constitution and the British Commonwealth countries which do not have a written constitution. We have a Constitution and while it is the end of term and Deputy Bruton and I are as anxious to leave as the Minister of State, it is a reasonable question.

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