A Decision on the signing into law of legislation dealing with Traveller encampments may be delayed until tomorrow because of the attendance of the President, Mrs McAleese, at today's funeral ceremony for Britain's queen mother.
Mrs McAleese convened a meeting of the Council of State last night to discuss the proposed legislation following representations from Traveller support groups who have been campaigning against it.
Her next step is to either sign it directly into law or refer the matter to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality. If she decides on the latter, the court has three months in which to deliberate.
Eighteen members of the 23-member council attended the two-hour meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin last night.
There were apologies from three former taoisigh, Mr Charles Haughey, Mr John Bruton TD and Mr Albert Reynolds TD; the former president and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson; and the Northern Ireland-based retired businessman, Mr Noel Stewart.
A spokeswoman for Mrs McAleese said afterwards the President wanted to reflect on their discussions overnight before making her decision.
Mrs McAleese flies out to London for the queen mother's funeral this morning, however, and will not be back to the Aras until late evening. The spokeswoman said an announcement on the legislation could be deferred until Wednesday.
The proposed legislation is carried in Section 24 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (No 2), 2001, and makes trespass on land a criminal offence for the first time.
The Government has said the section is intended to deal with large-scale unauthorised Traveller encampments by traders, Travellers from abroad and others not indigenous to an area and Travellers who have other homes.
Traveller organisations, however, have criticised the section, arguing it will allow local authorities evict any Traveller or group of Travellers indiscriminately without having to fulfil their responsibilities to provide halting sites or other suitable accommodation.
Under existing law, only trespass on a building in a manner likely to put another person in fear is a criminal offence. To remove an individual or group from land, the land-owner must obtain an order through the civil courts.
Section 24 dispenses with this procedure and introduces a new penalty of three months' imprisonment and/or a fine of €3,000.