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Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 166 No. 8

An Bille um an Triú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2001: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha. Twenty-third Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2001: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages.

As the substance of the debate on the Bill will relate to the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment contained in the Schedule to the Bill, and since it would be appropriate to have that Schedule decided upon before deciding on Section 1 of the Bill, which actually provides for its insertion into the Constitution, I am suggesting that the House postpone consideration of sections 1 and 2 of the Bill until after the Schedule has been agreed. This is a procedure that has been adopted on Committee Stage in the Seanad in the case of previous Bills to amend the Constitution. It would lend itself to a more logically ordered debate. It is therefore proposed that, in accordance with Standing Order 107, consideration of sections 1 and 2 of the Bill be postponed until the Schedule is disposed of. Is that agreed? Agreed.

AN SCEIDEAL.

SCHEDULE.

Tairgeadh an cheist: "Gurb é and Sceideal an Sceideal a ghabhann leis an mBille."

Question proposed: "That the Schedule be the Schedule to the Bill."

Mr. Ryan

Tá ceist amháin agam agus is ceist ghinearálta í. Tá tuarascáil mhór fhada curtha le chéile ag an bhfo-choiste ar an mBunreacht atá bunaithe ag an dTaoiseach ar na difríochtaí idir leagan Gaeilge agus leagan Béarla na Bunreachta. That report raises numerous questions of interpretation. Since we have both the Irish and the English versions before us, I ask the Minister if something can be done to make sure they correspond with each other. We are fortunate in that we have not had a succession of constitutional issues raised by the uncertainty of versions that do not mesh together. The report is full of them. I want to be sure that the two versions we have are tested by competent people to ensure that potential conflicts do not arise. I am not competent to say so, but this report would cause a constitutional lawyer many a nightmare because of the uncertainties that could arise.

I can give that assurance to the Senator.

Cuireadh agus aontaíodh an cheist.

Question put and agreed to.
Aontaíodh alt a 1 agus a 2.
Sections 1 and 2 agreed to.
Aontaíodh an Teideal.
Title agreed to.
Tuairiscíodh an Bille gan leasuithe agus ritheadh é.
Bill reported without amendment and passed.
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