Constitutional lessons for the legislature

Sir, – Some members of the Oireachtas clamoured to lambaste the judicial appointments Bill in light of the Attorney General’s comments that it was “unconstitutional”. But not one of them explained precisely why this might be the case.

Soon afterwards the Tánaiste called for the inclusion of a two-thirds Dáil majority vote to change abortion legislation in the future, a clear breach of the constitutional rule that all questions put before the Dáil shall be determined by a simple majority.

Maybe a refresher course for our politicians on constitutional law is due? – Yours, etc,

Dr BRIAN BARRY,

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Lecturer in Constitutional

Law, DIT, Aungier Street,

Dublin 2.