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Updated, 11.16
THE GOVERNMENT is to block a bill being brought to the Seanad today which would require TDs and Senators to inform the Minister for Justice of any attempt they make to lobby the judiciary – describing the proposal as “bizarre”.
The bill is being introduced by NUI senator Prof John Crown today, but the government parties have already agreed to vote against the motion.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman this morning the bill would have the opposite effect to its intended aim – to stop parliamentarians from trying to lobby the judiciary in legal matters.
The spokeswoman said the bill would provide a mechanism for communications to be made to the DPP, and to individual judges, concerning criminal offences – as long as they were reported to the Minister for Justice at the time.
Such communications, the spokeswoman added, would be a “gross violation” of the separation of powers. As a result, the government was opposing Crown’s “bizarre proposal”.
Crown, however, believes the government’s motives are more ulterior.
“The government was thinking of going along with the bill, but when they considered the impact on how the business of politics is done in this country, they decided otherwise,” he said.
Crown added that he had not been approached by the government parties with any suggested amendments to the bill, though he would be happy to accept input in that regard.
He explained that his original hopes had been to introduce a bill which placed an outright ban on lobbying of the judiciary by TDs and Senators, but he had been advised that doing so would pose constitutional problems regarding freedom of speech.
It is understood that the bill had been slated for discussion yesterday, to allow for the attendance of justice minister Alan Shatter.
Shatter is unlikely to attend today’s debates on the bill, as he is due in the Dáil – taking ministerial questions as the Minister for Defence – while the debates on the bill will get underway.
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Rip
@Fr.Todd Unctious: Awww, sooo, Sad.
It must be every parents nightmare to lose a child .
@Mary Mc Carthy: it is you just want to die yourself xx
I know exactly how he feels may God help all his family
@Bernie Mccullough-Whelan: so do I Bernie. RiP
How sad – RIP
It’s so disheartening, 19 years of age with all that life has to offer ahead of you
Like most parents, I can’t bear to even attempt to psychologically explore what they are experiencing right now. Too painful. What a blow to the heart. 19. RIP.
Terrible RIP
So sad. RIP Archie.
Very sad. RIP young man
My God – tragic.
RIP.
What he die from?
@Pat Andrews: nosiness
@Pat Andrews: bone of your fxxkin business
@Pat Andrews: an illness, which he had for a short time. Says so in the article, why woukd you need to know more?
@Padraic McDonagh: not true and not funny.
@D Mems: well it’s a little terrifying to think that a healthy looking 19 year old can suddenly die. Maybe there are early warning signs people should be educated on?
@D Mems: what illness
Rest In Peace
Forever young, a terrible tragedy for any parent or sibling to go through, life can be cruel sometimes RIP.
Words cannot express my sympathy to you both, I am a parent of three teenagers and they’re my whole world, I can’t begin to imagine how I’d feel, I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers xx
Sad news , hard braking for any parents to lose a child
Words cannot express my sympathy to you both, I am a parent of three teenagers and they’re my whole world, I can’t begin to imagine how I’d feel, I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers xx
Why would he not be poor man
Rip.
Sorry very sad
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