Seanad debates

Tuesday, 24 June 2003

European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages.

 

The amendment proposes nothing that is not already part of existing practice, despite the fact that quite a few words were spent in formulating it. I have to assume that Senator Tuffy and the draftsman are only too well aware that the power of pardon is vested exclusively in, and may only be exercised by, the President, strictly on the advice of the Government. That procedure is written into the Constitution. As a result of that constitutional provision, the House could not initiate legislation which would provide for the establishment of a board to advise the President or the Government in regard to this issue. The advice must be received by the President from the Government. There is very little we can do to hedge about that basic provision.

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