President Convenes Council of State to Review Defence (Amendment) Bill
The Council of State has been convened by President Michael D. Higgins to discuss the constitutionality of the Defense (Amendment) Bill 2024. This follows the recent passage of the Bill through all stages in the Oireachtas earlier this month.
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The Bill includes provisions for military representation organisations to connect with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and proposes major changes, such as the creation of an external oversight body for the defence forces. However, President Higgins has raised concerns regarding certain sections of the legislation.
Military groups have expressed apprehension, suggesting that the Bill might restrict their ability to critique governmental policies. The fragile balance between civilian oversight and military control is highlighted by this difficult subject.
Council of State Reviews Defence Bill Amid Concerns Over Military Oversight and Modernisation
The Council of State, comprising senior government officials, former presidents, and distinguished jurists, will convene at Áras an Uachtaráin to analyse the Bill’s legal foundations. President Higgins, following this review, will determine whether to refer the Bill to the Supreme Court for further scrutiny—a decision rarely invoked in the nation’s history, having occurred only 15 times previously.
Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, defended the Bill, emphasising its intention to modernise the Defence Forces while preserving their apolitical stance. She stressed that the Bill aims to empower representative groups within the military while upholding longstanding principles of loyalty to the constitution and non-partisanship among servicemembers.
