asked the Taoiseach if the Government have considered further whether any action will be taken on any of the recommendations of the informal committee on the constitution; and what action it is proposed to take.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Constitution Committee Recommendations.
1.
The position is still as set out in the reply given by me to a similar question asked by the Deputy on the 8th February, 1968.
Does that mean that the questions are still being examined or that nothing will happen about them?
As I said in that reply, the Committee is an informal one set up by agreement of the Parties, that any action on the recommendations would be a matter for the Parties and no Party, in so far as I know, has initiated or indicated any suggestion——
I do not think the Taoiseach should get away with that.
Is the Taoiseach repudiating Deputy Lemass?
I have never taken any responsibility for that Committee.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the Labour Party made application on two occasions to have it reconvened but that this application was not acceded to?
The Labour Party said on at least one other occasion that they would not attend it if it was convened.
The Taoiseach should not get out of it that way. We asked that it should be reconvened and the chairman of the Committee said he would consider the matter but nothing has been done since.
It is a matter for the chairman and for the members of the Committee.
Will the Taoiseach or the Government consider the proposals which the Labour Party made on Parliamentary reform?
That is procedural reform?
Yes.
I have seen that document and I have read through it. There are some good suggestions in it.
What about doing something about it, then? We do not believe that all the proposals are ideal but at least they should form the basis for discussion and consideration by the Taoiseach.
Further arising out of the Taoiseach's reply surely it is not fair for him to throw the responsibility on to the chairman of the Committee. Would the chairman not have to agree with the orders or the decisions which he gets from the Taoiseach?
May I repeat that the Committee was set up on the initiative of my predecessor but, he as Taoiseach, accepted no responsibility for its procedure, its reports or its recommendations, nor do I.
Can the Taoiseach give the House any reason why the chairman did not call a meeting when he had been requested to do so on numerous occasions?
No, I cannot.