Why the President’s hands were tied on Mother and Baby Homes

Comment: The fallout from the Mother and Baby Homes report has shown up the issues surrounding Article 26 of the Constitution

Michael D Higgins: the President’s role under Article 26 is strictly limited to considering whether any provision of a Bill is repugnant to the Constitution

Last Sunday, I was writing an academic paper on Article 26 of our Constitution. This article deals with one of the President’s few real (as opposed to ceremonial) powers, allowing him to consult with the Council of State and subsequently refer a Bill to the Supreme Court if he considers it of doubtful constitutionality.

It would be fair to say that this is a somewhat obscure Constitutional provision that is so rarely invoked that a ...