President must sign bills regardless of personal opinion

IN response to my letter concerning Dana Rosemary Scallon and the powers and functions of the President, Eric Conway (Letters, October 15) suggests that conscience should play an over-riding role when the president is considering legislation for signature.

He cites the “servant of God” argument in support of his view.

The president, according to Mr Conway, should thus inform his/her conscience first and, presumably by implication, a Catholic conscience.

This demonstrates one glaring flaw in Mr Conway’s argument, namely that a moral compass formed from a particular viewpoint should trump the law of the land regardless of the consequences.

The people, when enacting the Constitution, conferred certain powers on the office of President, but the power to refuse to sign legislation is not one of them.

If, in the event of a Bill being returned from the Supreme Court, said Bill having been deemed to be Constitutional, the President is required by law to sign the Bill, regardless of their views.

Michael O’Connell

Pearse Road

Ballyphehane

Cork