Meeting of the Irish Council of State, 2002 - Definition

The Irish Council of State met on 8th April, 2002 to advise President Mary McAleese on whether or not to refer the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill, 2001 to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality. In particular the council considered whether or not Section 24 of the bill should be referred. This provision, a late addition to the bill, was controversial because it made trespass a criminal offence in the state for the first time. Some regarded the section as amounting to racial discrimination against Travellers. Nonetheless, following the meeting the president choose not to refer the provision and instead signed the bill into law.

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