Uachtarán na hÉireann, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, has convened a meeting of the Council of State under Article 26 of the Constitution, to be held at Áras an Uachtaráin on Wednesday 11 October 2023 at 2.30pm, for the purpose of his hearing from the Council regarding the constitutionality of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022.
Article 26.1.1 of the Constitution states:
‘The President may, after consultation with the Council of State, refer any Bill to which this Article applies to the Supreme Court for a decision on the question as to whether such Bill or any specified provision or provisions of such Bill is or are repugnant to this Constitution or to any provision thereof.’
Thus, the question put to the Council is:
Whether the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022 should be referred by the President to the Supreme Court for a decision on the question as to whether the Bill or any specified provision or provisions thereof are repugnant to the Constitution or to any provision thereof.
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