Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

We are the lead Department in terms of international legal issues but, in keeping with our approach to joined-up Government, we have to confirm it with the Attorney General. Our in-house legal opinion is that we will not need legislation and that is good news because, if the Attorney General confirms our view, it will be a matter of months before we accede to the Vienna conventions. The Deputy is more experienced than I in legislative matters and will be aware that, if legislation is required, the matter will take longer to resolve.

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