Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I am sure the Minister of State wishes it were so but the reality is that following the court case, his Department was advised that it was better to be clear and certain on the process of delegation so that it would not be indiscriminate. This is how the matter arose. It is not a case of one opting in, but rather of one responding to the suggestion that one is on safest ground constitutionally and legally if one has specified the process by which one is exercising the power of extending protections under diplomatic relations and immunities.

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