Seanad debates
Tuesday, 24 June 2003
European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages.
State practice now conforms entirely with UN practice and best international practice in this respect. It goes beyond UN practice and conforms to Protocol No. 13. Therefore, it is not strictly necessary to add this protocol to the Bill. The people have entrenched its substance in the Constitution. In practical terms, it is difficult to see what the amendment would add to the substantive provisions of the Bill. Having said that, I appreciate the Senator's motivation in tabling it. It is regrettable that because of the legal drafting tradition we do not anticipate future contingencies and the Government does not think possible to incorporate proposals in legislation.
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