John Bruton
Question:3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans to confer additional powers or functions on the President by law within the terms of Article 13.10 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Role of President.
John Bruton
Question:4 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans to amend Article 12.9 of the Constitution which states that the President shall not leave the State except with the consent of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. There are no proposals in this regard at present.
Does the Taoiseach not consider it wrong that the Government should be in a position to refuse an elected President an opportunity of going abroad to bring honour to this country, as President Robinson would have done if she had been allowed the opportunity to deliver the Dimbleby lecture?
I allowed these questions on the basis that they relate to possible legislative action in relation to the office of the Presidency generally and not in relation to any particular President. My ruling in relation to the existing President stands, it is a long-standing rule that the President shall be outside and above debate in the House. The Deputy may ask questions in relation to legislative matters but not about the current incumbent of the office of President.
I will rephrase the question. Does the Taoiseach not consider it is invidious that the Government should be in a position to refuse any President who is invited to do so the opportunity to deliver such an internationally prestigious lecture as the Dimbleby lecture? I am not necessarily talking about this particular lecture but any——
The Deputy is getting back to the issue which I ruled out of order recently.
I respectfully suggest I am not out of order.
The question of the Dimbleby lecture involves the current President and, therefore, it is out of order.
I am not referring to the present President, and I have accepted your ruling that I may not do so. Does the Taoiseach consider that the provisions in the Constitution which are such that even if the President wishes to go on holiday the approval of the Cabinet is required are foolish and should be changed?
That provision has been in the Constitution since the Presidency was established. It has never caused any difficulty and I do not expect that it will cause difficulty.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that it has caused considerable difficulty in that the present Government have refused the present President the opportunity of delivering the Dimbleby lecture.
Sorry, the Deputy is entering into a very delicate area on which I have ruled deliberately and positively in this House. I shall not be deviating from that decision, irrespective of the view of anybody else in the matter.