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
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 ...