Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach's response indicates exactly the point I am making, namely, that the Government of the day is not merely another defendant and it is not appropriate for any government to act simply as another corporate defendant. The Government must of course, as a democratically elected government, reflect and respect the rights and wishes of the people and the common good. That is precisely why the Labour Party is calling for reform of the Office of the Attorney General. This is not only in order for the Government to review the State's litigation strategy to ensure that the State and the government of the day are acting in the common good across all the cases where people have been done injustice and where people deserve redress. We are also asking, in order to guard against future similar litigation strategies being adopted against similarly vulnerable groups of people, for a review of the role of the Attorney General.

We are preparing a Bill that will not only ensure that the Attorney General's office will take regard of the common good and the public interest, as well as the narrow interest of government, but will also look at the publication of the advice of the Attorney General in specific cases. It is not always appropriate for the Attorney General's advice to remain confidential or for the person holding that position simply to act as if he or she is a lawyer advising a private client. The government of the day has a duty to reflect the wishes of the people and to act in the common good. The Taoiseach has acknowledged that and it is precisely the point I am making.

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