Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

Why was no explanatory memorandum given with a Bill listed for consideration today, namely the Diplomatic Relations Immunities (Amendment) Bill? This legislation has been held up for 15 years. It is a response to a Supreme Court decision some 20 years ago. It took 15 years to draft this short Bill yet there is no explanatory memorandum to explain the context of the Vienna Convention, immunity and specifically the Supreme Court decision. It seems a sloppy presentation given the time available.

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