1:06:00
to reconsider the case of Desmond Doyle.
ls that correct?
1:06:04
lt is. A decision subsequently upheld
by the High Court.
1:06:08
Yes, but the grounds for our action now
are fundamentally different, is that not so?
1:06:14
l suppose it is.
1:06:16
Could you tell us, Minister, to whom or
to what do you owe your eminent position?
1:06:21
Pardon?
1:06:22
Your job, sir. Who appointed you?
1:06:24
Objection, Your Lordship.
This is irrelevant, not to say insolent.
1:06:28
My lord...
1:06:29
counsel for the plaintiff
has indeed failed to establish relevance.
1:06:34
l am about to do so, Your Lordship.
1:06:36
l hope so, Mr. Barron. Proceed.
1:06:40
As Minister for Education, you are
a government appointee, are you not?
1:06:44
Of course l am.
1:06:46
What is the document on which
the lrish government's authority...
1:06:49
and therefore your authority, rests?
1:06:52
The lrish Constitution.
1:06:55
Have you read it recently?
1:06:57
Objection, Your Lordship.
This is insufferable!
1:06:59
Counsel for the plaintiff is not displaying
due deference to the witness, my lord.
1:07:03
Objection sustained.
1:07:05
Be careful, Mr. Barron.
The witness must be treated with respect.
1:07:08
Yes, my lord.
1:07:11
l would be grateful
if you could read out to the Court...
1:07:14
those short extracts
from the lrish Constitution...
1:07:17
which, we have established,
is the basis for your authority.
1:07:23
''Article 1 .
1:07:24
''The lrish Constitution shall be consistent
with the law of God.
1:07:30
''Article 41 .
1:07:32
''A parent and child have a fundamental
and God-given right...
1:07:35
''to the enjoyment of each other's
mutual society.
1:07:41
''Article 42.
1:07:42
''A blameless parent shall not be deprived
of his or her right...
1:07:46
''to direct the child's education.''
1:07:48
ls it fair to say
that by consistently rejecting...
1:07:51
Desmond Doyle's application
for the return of his children...
1:07:54
you have denied him
that fundamental and God-given right?
1:07:59
Would it be fair to say that, Minister?