Meeting of the Irish Council of State, 2004

The Irish Council of State met on 21st December, 2004 to advise President Mary McAleese on whether or not to refer the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2004 to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality. The purpose of the bill was to retroactively render legal fees charged by the state, since 1976, on pensioners and other long stay patients staying in nursing homes that at the time levied were illegal. The Council of State met for one hour and every member was present except former taoiseach Charles Haughey.

Related Topics:
Irish Council of State - 21st December - 2004 - President Mary McAleese - Supreme Court - 1976 - Taoiseach - Charles Haughey

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Arising from the meeting the president referred the bill to the Supreme Court the following day. On 16th February the Supreme Court ruled that the bill was an unconstitutional attempt to violate the right to property, and struck it down.

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