President Michael D Higgins has expressed his concern in a letter to the Oireachtas over the volume of legislation he has been asked to sign by the Government in a short period of time.
In an unprecedented move, President Higgins is understood to have raised issues about the number of complex Bills he has had to consider in the final two weeks before the Dáil rose for its Christmas and the recent summer break.
The Government had rushed legislation through the Dáil recently that would facilitate the resumption of indoor dining with the use of vaccine passes.
A spokesman for President Higgins has confirmed to the Irish Mirror that the President has written to the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach about the legislative process.
The Irish Mirror also understands that the Ceann Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach are to convene an emergency meeting of their businesses committees on Friday following the letter, which has also been passed on to the Department of the Taoiseach.
Social Democrat TD Cian O’Callaghan, who is a member of the Business Committee said it should not have taken an intervention by the President for the Government to realise they are “showing complete disregard for the democratic process.”
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Mr O’Callaghan said: “I think the Government has been rushing through legislation, a huge amount of Bills in the last couple of weeks particularly before Christmas and just now and it does not allow for proper scrutiny and amendments.
“The Government has shown complete disregard for the democratic process and the proper functioning of Oireachtas.
“It shouldn't take an intervention from the President for the Government to realise it’s not a proper way to be treating the democratic process.”
President Higgins is understood to have said in the letter that the handling of legislation was "less than ideal and unnecessary,” according to RTÉ.
And that given the complexity of the Bills, some would require him to seek legal advice or consultation with the Council of State.
