A joint meeting of the Dáil Business Committee has been called for today (30 July) to discuss what is being described as an unprecedented letter from President Higgins (pictured).

The President raised concerns about the high volume of legislation he had been asked to consider recently, and described the current process as “less than ideal”.

The letter was sent to the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Seanad Cathaoirleach Mark Daly, and the Department of the Taoiseach.

Nine bills in one day

The President said that he had been asked to consider 19 separate bills in the three weeks since the beginning of July.

“Nine were presented on the one day, sharing a requirement to be considered and signed in the same seven-day period,” he wrote.

He also noted that 21 of 32 bills presented to him last year arrived in the weeks before the summer and Christmas recess periods.

President Higgins also said that little time was being given to debate often “very important and far-reaching legislative proposals”.