Madam, - Robert Comyn (September 24th) writes that the President has "no political power" and holds "a symbolic office". What he doesn't mention is that the President does have certain legislative powers because his or her signature is required on every Bill before it can become law. Specifically, the President has the power to refer a Bill to the Supreme Court within seven days if there is a doubt as to its constitutionality.
How does this concern President McAleese? Earlier this year, she signed the National Monuments Act Amendment 2004 into law. This places all powers relating to national monuments, including the powers to preserve, demolish and relocate them, in the hands of one person, the Minister for the Environment. Ciaran Cuffe, TD, the Green Party's heritage spokesman has said in your newspaper that he believes this legislation is "flawed" and Dr Sean Duffy of TCD has also said it will "push the clock back to the period before the National Monuments Act, back before the 1930s".
The 2004 amendment was brought into law specifically to allow the Government to recommence work on the M50 motorway at Carrickmines after Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns ruled in the High Court that the Government had acted beyond its powers. The 2004 amendment was subsequently challenged on constitutional grounds by Mr Dominic Dunne in a High Court action that was rejected by Ms Justice Laffoy.
On July 14th, 2000 the National Trust handed over Kanturk Castle to President McAleese on behalf of An Taisce, for the Irish people, on the undertaking that this National Monument be kept in the same condition henceforth. It required amended legislation in Westminster to allow this donation to occur.
Under the new 2004 legislation, such undertakings are null and void and the ultimate fate of Kanturk Castle now rests solely at the pleasure of the Minister of the Environment, as does that of the Hill of Tara. - Yours, etc.,
JULIAN CHARLTON,
Newtown House,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - Spending €15 million on a presidential election would be an absolute waste of money that could be used for much worthier projects.
Let's build another Punchestown. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL MacENTEE,
The Close,
Boden Park,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.