11.   President Mary Robinson had referred the bill to the Supreme Court, whose ruling preempts any further court challenges.

12.   Both bills have been referred to the Senate Intelligence Committee.

13.   But the bill was referred to the parliamentary committee for discussion at the instance of opposition parties.

14.   Irish lawyers say they expect the president to refer the bill to the Supreme Court for a ruling on whether it is constitutional.

15.   The bill was referred to a House of Representative judiciary subcommittee.