Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because I know time is pressing and the Leader has extended the time already. I would like to make a formal request to the Cathaoirleach and to the Leader. Senator Wilson has raised a very important point here. This item within the Schedule could very well be unconstitutional. On that basis, I ask the Leader not to proceed with the Final Stages of the Bill. I suggest we should deal with Committee Stage and let that happen. We could schedule Report Stage separately. I formally ask the Minister of State and his officials to seek specific advice from the Attorney General on this specific point relating to section 3(4)(a) of the Schedule before this Bill is passed. All of us want to ensure any legislation that is passed here is constitutional. An important point has been raised. We should get Committee Stage done and park Report and Final Stages. That would give the Minister of State time to go formally to the Attorney General and seek advice on this point. Our belief is that it is unconstitutional.