President Catherine Connolly has said she ''looks forward’’ to getting advice from the Council of State on the constitutionality of the International Protection Bill 2026.
President Connolly convened a meeting of the council during the week under Article 26 of the Constitution.
The Council of State is an advisory body to the President which includes all current and former taoisigh, tánaistí and chief justices.
The bill passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas and was accepted by 86 votes to 62. The bill requires the signature of the President in order to become law.
Speaking at the Defence of Democracy conference in Barcelona, President Connolly said calling the council is her "prerogative".
"I look forward to getting the advice of all members of the Council of State. We're talking about a bill that's very, very significant. It's quite a sizable bill, and I'm looking forward to getting advice on that on Monday and it will start at 2.30pm," she said.
‘’The Council of State are there for that reason, and I will gladly listen and listen to their advice and listen to their opinions.
"I think when a President calls a Council of State, it's because there are issues in relation to it, and that's why we have a Council of State to look at that, and we do that on Monday."
President Connolly made the comments during her first overseas trip to Spain as President of Ireland.
She spoke at the fourth meeting of the 'Defence of Democracy' event, following an invitation by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Democracy 'under attack'
President Connolly told delegates at the conference that democracy is "under attack'’ and that it is important for leaders to '’stand together and chart a path for peace''.
"’We have to ask ourselves, how have we come to this point of needing a conference in defence of democracy?" she told Irish media as she arrived to address the meeting.
"’This is a gathering together of leaders to put the importance of defending democracy to the core of what we are," President Connolly added.
President Connolly said an erosion of democracy has led to institutions of the United Nations being undermined and treated with contempt by others and has allowed sovereign nations to be invaded or threatened with invasion.
A spokesperson for the President said that "in line with her position as a non-executive Head of State, President Connolly will not join in any declarations emanating from the meeting which may refer to executive matters."
During her speech, President Connolly called for a united approach.
"In the face of this onslaught, we have an obligation to stand together to defend the very institutions established to uphold human rights without qualification following the horrors of two world wars. We must work together to deepen international cooperation, and to nurture and develop conditions for lasting peace,"’ she said.
The President said Ireland is uniquely placed to offer a valuable perspective as a neutral, post-famine, post-colonial republic.
"Ireland is a small country that remains deeply committed to a strong, UN-led multilateral order. We joined the UN in 1955 and are very proud of our uninterrupted record of peacekeeping since 1958. We believe that multilateralism is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is how we uphold international law. It is how we protect human rights."
The meeting brings together a dozen heads of state and government from across the world, to confront issues of extremism, polarisation, and disinformation, which organisers believe are eroding social cohesion and threatening democratic institutions.
Other attendees include UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Colombian president Gustavo Petro, European Council president António Costa and South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mr Lammy said the meeting comes at a crucial time.
‘’This is a time of hope, and opportunity despite the challenge all of us [here] are inspired by being together once again,’’ Mr Lammy said.
Meanwhile, Áras an Uachtaráin has said that planning is currently under way for an official visit by the President to the UK, with further details due in the coming weeks.
