David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is very short. Far be it from me to chide colleagues who wander, because I am noted for it myself, but a number of contributors have wandered from the essential crux of the amendment, which seems to me to be simply that Senator Barrett objects on a sound democratic principle to the use of a regulation to overrule a judge of the High Court or Supreme Court. That is a very important point. It does not relate to whether taxis are available in Laois or Longford. It relates to the point of democracy and the role of the Oireachtas as opposed to the role of the Judiciary. Having heard what Senator Barrett said, there may well be constitutional obstacles to any Government purporting to overrule by regulation a decision of the court. I am grateful to you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, for giving me the opportunity to speak because I would like to hear the Minister of State address the point.