A technical Bill to protect the State against potential litigation in the operation of the North-South bodies was rushed through both Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday.
The British-Irish (Amendment) Bill clarifies legal provisions, particularly in relation to Waterways Ireland.
Minister for Community Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív said the legislation would "remedy a possible technical defect" in the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, linked to ground rent. Waterways Ireland currently has 12 cases in hand and these "will continue as if this Bill had not been enacted".
Seymour Crawford (FG, Cavan-Monaghan) questioned the "secrecy and urgency" involved. The Minister said the Bill was kept secret "to protect State assets and anything done to protect the people's property from those who might take successful court cases is wise and prudent".
