Clarification and apology — President Higgins

A reader’s letter published in yesterday’s Irish Examiner stated “Between Christmas and the New Year our President Michael D. Higgins, on behalf of the Government, signed into law the Water Bill 2014”.

This statement is untrue. We accept that President Higgins reviewed the legislation independently as Bunreacht na hÉireann required. President Higgins outlined, in a statement to the press at the time of signing, the detail of the provisions of Articles 26 and 27 of the Constitution.

The President’s signing of the legislation as compliant with the Constitution leaves any citizen’s right to challenge it in the Courts intact.

Had it been adjudged by the Supreme Court as constitutionally correct, it having been referred by the President, then no right of challenge would remain.

The Irish Examiner fully accepts that the Office of the President and the Government are

independent and separate institutions and that, President Higgins acts with total integrity and

independence and is guided solely and entirely by the provisions of Bunreacht na hÉireann.

We are happy to clarify and apologise for this error.