Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

It is worth pointing out that this lacuna has existed since the enactment of Bunreacht na hÉireann in 1938, which effectively brought to an end the 1922 Free State Constitution. The British have had this on their Statute Book since 1922. There must be similar examples. I raised the constitutional issue because it was the only Act cited in the Schedule which referred to a constitution. The vast majority of the other Acts related to either royal prerogatives or ordnance, charter or similar documents.

It is interesting to note that we are repealing an Act the British have not repealed, even though we effectively repealed the 1922 Free State Constitution in 1938.