Irish president signs defence bill after council meeting

The bill provides legal underpinning for a new oversight body in the Defence Forces

Irish President Michael D Higgins, having "given careful consideration", has signed a bill that contained changes in relation to the Defence Forces, his office has said.

The Irish Council of State met on Monday to consider the constitutionality of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 after the president raised concerns about two sections of the legislation.

The council was established to advise the president of Ireland in the exercise of many of his or her discretionary, reserve powers.

President Higgins could have referred the bill to the Supreme Court, which has only happened 15 times in Irish history.

The Council of State considered the defence bill at the president's official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, on Monday

The bill, which passed all stages in the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) earlier in July, provides legal underpinning for a new oversight body in the Defence Forces.

Some military members have taken issue with the amendment that members of the Defence Forces "shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the government or a minister of the government or on the merits of the objectives of such policy".

Although the Defence Forces always stress the need for political impartiality, some members believe this would limit the ability of members to give an opinion to any political organisation, society or grouping.

"The president’s decision to sign this legislation thus does not close off any actions sought by any member of the Defence Forces, or their representative association, to challenge the provisions of the bill in the future," the president's office added.