Vol. 241 No. 9
asked the Taoiseach if in view of the non-sectarian tradition of society in the Republic he will inform the House of the Government's intentions concerning the all party committee's report on the Constitution which specifically referred to Article 44. 1. 2º and 3º of the Constitution of Ireland.
6.
asked the Taoiseach if he proposes to hold an early referendum on Article 44 of the Constitution and at the same time to hold a referendum to amend the Constitution so as to provide for the granting of votes in this country to all who have reached the age of 18 years; and when such referendum will be held.
7.
asked the Taoiseach if it is proposed to introduce legislation for the purpose of holding a referendum to amend the Constitution: and, if so, when and in what respects amendments are to be proposed.
8.
asked the Taoiseach if it is proposed to implement any of the recommendations in the Report of the Committee on the Constitution.
9.
asked the Taoiseach if he has considered drafting a new Constitution in conformity with the recommendations of the all party committee on the Constitution; whether the committee will reconvene; and, if so, if its terms of reference will enjoin the drawing up of a new Constitution.
10.
asked the Taoiseach if it is intended to reconvene the all party committee on the Constitution to review the possibility of having all party agreement on a referendum relating to Article 44 and any other articles in the Constitution which might be amended at this time.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 10 together.
As I suggested in the course of a radio interview on the 21st September last, if Article 44 of the Constitution is regarded as an obstacle to the reunification of Ireland, the Government would be prepared to initiate a proposal for an appropriate amendment of that Article. A proposal for the deletion of sub-sections 2º and 3º of section 1 of that Article, which was recommended by the Informal Committee on the Constitution, and which — I understand — was recently approved by the two Parties of the Opposition, would probably receive a wide measure of general support. Pending full and detailed consideration of all aspects of the matter, however, I am not at present in a position to furnish any more definite indication of the Government's intentions in regard to the amendment of the Constitution.
As regards Question No. 8, the position is still as set out in the reply given by me to a similar question asked by Deputy Cosgrave on the 8th February, 1968, in so far as the recommendations of the committee, other than that relating to Article 44 of the Constitution, are concerned. As regards the points mentioned in Questions Nos. 9 and 10, concerning the terms of reference of the committee and the possibility of reconvening it, I would refer the Deputies concerned to the reply given by the former Tánaiste on my behalf on the 21st July, 1967, in which it was indicated that the procedure of the committee is a matter for the committee itself.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply, may I ask him, in view of the fact that this change has been specifically recommended by the all-party committee on the Constitution and the fact that there is widespread support throughout the country for such a change, and particularly following the Taoiseach's statement that this would require further detailed and full consideration by the Government, would he consider it opportune to revive the Committee on the Constitution with the possibility of setting in train the course of development which he would wish? We would like to see an all-party, unanimous approach to this.
I understand that the all-party committee completed that part of their work which concerned suggesting amendments to or alterations of the Constitution. I do not believe there would be any point in bringing the committee back for that specific purpose.
It was set up to abolish PR and it failed in its work.
It failed in its work but those who opposed it failed in their purpose as well. When the time comes for any amendments that seem necessary, full consultation will be held with the Opposition parties.
If the Taoiseach feels he has no function in reconvening the committee on the Constitution but if he feels that this whole question should be given further deliberation, could he not be a little more specific in informing the House through what channels these deliberations will take place and when, if ever, the Government may be able to make a firmer statement of their intentions?
Is it not clear that in relation to the suggested amendment of Article 44 and other matters there should now be in existence an all-party committee to consider Northern Ireland affairs?
That might yet be premature, but as Deputy Thornley's question relates to Article 44 only, it would not be necessary to reconvene the all-party committee. It would not be necessary to reconvene the all-party committee on Article 44 only. That has been well discussed already. If there is a desire to reconvene the all-party committee then it is for the existing members through the chairman of the committee to make suitable arrangements.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach has set no time limit whatsoever and in view of the other statements on his part that this would occur when the time comes and in view of the consensus of opinion nationally that this should come about, and particularly in view of the interest in Northern Ireland in this Article, could the Taoiseach not see his way, in order to avoid further equivocation and further disquiet and cynicism in Northern Ireland in relation to this Article, to give a more positive and definite indication to the House as to when he might be in a position to give information?
I am afraid not. I will be dealing with this matter in the course of my statement shortly.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government have considered the merit of granting votes at 18 years of age and, if so, what decision was taken?
That has not been considered formally by the Government.
Is it likely to be considered by the Government since action in this matter has been taken by other Governments or lesser democratic institutions?
We all follow our own counsel. We do not follow other Governments' example.
Can the Taoiseach say if the matter is likely to be considered by the Government at an early date?
Not at an early date.
As the Taoiseach says this matter has not been considered by the Government, is the Taoiseach saying that the report of the committee on the Constitution was not considered by the Government, as this was one of the recommendations?
No. I told the House before that the recommendations of this committee were not binding on any party, much less on the Government. Any party is entitled to consider them. We considered them in a broad way after this report was published, but we did not consider them specifically.
The report was not considered at all. We wasted our time for six months.
