Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The Government will be passing an early signature motion. The President, as the Deputy has acknowledged, normally has ten days to sign legislation into law but if an early signature motion is passed by the Cabinet, then it is expedited. We will certainly do that.

I repeat what I stated earlier. This problem was not identified in the Law Reform Commission report. Nobody, including the Law Reform Commission, drew attention to the fact this may be unconstitutional, which issue — the unconstitutionality of it — is the one with which we are now dealing.

Deputy Joe Higgins asked if I can give an undertaking that the persons will be recharged, and I apologise for not answering him. I cannot give such an undertaking. There is an independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and it is entirely a matter for his judgment. I have confidence in the director and I am quite certain he would have in place a legal strategy to use his powers in these matters if he can in the interests of protecting children. I have no doubt about that.

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