President Higgins signed the Harbours Bill into law on Christmas Day, the first time a President has signed legislation in to law on that day.
The Harbours bill provides the necessary legal framework for the transfer of certain ports in Dun Laoghaire, Drogheda, Galway, New Ross, and Wicklow to local authorities.
President Higgins also signed four other Bills on Christmas Day such is the haste at which the government is signing legislation before next year's General Election, according to Michael O'Regan in today's Irish Times here.
Read also: Regional Ports Move to Local Authorities in 'Radical Overhaul' of Port Sector