FG call for sweeping powers for Taoiseach

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Friday July 08, 2005 23:03 by Chris - LP

Fine Gael has called for new legislation to be inacted which would grant the Taoiseach unprecedented sweeping executive powers in times of crisis. In a statement today their Defence Spokesman Billy Timmins TD claimed executive powers should be increased immediately and centralised at the "highest level" of Government.

Legislation in the UK allows the so-called COBRA committee to rule by executive decree with the power to:

Suspend sittings of Parliament
Destroy or requisition private property
Ban public assemblies
Limit freedom of movement
Establish special courts to try suspects