Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As has been noted by other Deputies this Bill responds to the case of Ms Jillian Godsil v.the Attorney General. Although the hearing is not expected until July, the Government is moving to address the issue. In his opening remarks the Minister set out why it would not be advisable to allow the case to proceed to the courts. It is clear there is not an arguable case given the comparisons with other European countries.

Deputy Finian McGrath, the Member for Dublin Bay North, and I took a constitutional challenge in 2007. We did not want to do it but we felt we had to do it. Taking a constitutional challenge is not for the faint-hearted.

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