Legal

President Michael D Higgins mulls constitutionality of new judicial appointments bill

President will convene the Council of State to decide if bill should be referred to Supreme Court in potential set back to justice minister

Michael D Higgins: President has only taken such an action on three occasions during his two terms in the Áras. Picture: Fergal Phillips

President Michael D Higgins has called a meeting of his Council of State this week to consider the constitutionality of the government’s judicial appointments bill.

It is only the third time that he has taken such an action during his two terms as President.

President Higgins has the power to ask the Supreme Court to consider the constitutionality of any new government bill, but he has to convene a meeting of the Council of State ...