asked the Taoiseach if the Attorney General has yet furnished his observations on the implications of the recent retrospective legislation passed by the British Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have just received observations by the Attorney General on the subject and I have not yet had an opportunity of considering them fully. Accordingly, I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the matter.

It would appear that the legislation in question tends to make an offence an act which was not an offence or against the law on the date it was committed. Irrespective of any undertakings which may have been given in the British Parliament, that is the position. I think the Taoiseach will agree that if that is the position it offends against the European Convention of Human Rights——

Has the Deputy a question to put? He is making a statement.

Would the Taoiseach refer to the European Commission the breach by Britain of this important obligation?

As I have indicated in my reply, I received only a short time ago observations by the Attorney General. I should prefer to examine those observations first before any action is taken or statement made on the matter.