asked the Taoiseach how long before entry to the EEC the necessary changes in the Constitution must be effected.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on any of the proposed changes in the Constitution; and when the necessary legislation will be introduced.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
It is anticipated that a period of approximately one year would elapse between the completion of the negotiations with the European Communities and the coming into force of the agreements of accession. It is not possible at this stage to indicate when in the course of that period the necessary changes in the Constitution would be effected. They would in any event need to be effected before the agreements of accession are ratified.
I would consider it desirable that, as far as possible, all amendments to the Constitution should be put to the people on the one day. Amendments to the Constitution to enable us to ratify our instruments of accession to the European Economic Community may, however, have to be voted on separately depending, inter alia, upon the timing of the successful conclusion of negotiations for membership.
The Taoiseach will have noted that the Minister for Transport and Power promised there would be votes at 18 before the next election.
I did not say that.
Perhaps the Taoiseach would comment on that.
The first comment is that the Minister was misquoted.
That is his story and he is sticking to it.
Who would believe that?
(Interruptions.)
Order.
It is shocking when the sheep are leading the shepherd.
The Minister did not go so far as to say there would be votes at 18 before the next election. If he was quoted to the contrary that is a misquotation. I announced here that the Government were examining the legislation necessary to enable votes to be had at 18 and that is still the position.
A part of the question does relate to the EEC. Would the Taoiseach, in view of the number of speeches made on the subject recently, concede that there are reasons within the island of Ireland which call for changes in our Constitution? Does he concede to this need for urgency?
I concede there is a need and I concede that there is some urgency, but urgency is relative. As I indicated in the main reply, it would be desirable, as I see it at the moment, to have whatever amendments will be seen to be necessary, introduced on the one day, even though I acknowledge it may be necessary to isolate those applying to accession to the EEC.
As the Taoiseach admits there is urgency in relation to the points referred to here by Deputy O'Leary would he not consider holding a separate referendum? I do not think expense should be a major factor in this when such changes as those to Article 44 are agreed upon by the Taoiseach and I think the House should be——
As Deputies are aware, negotiations are proceeding for membership of the EEC and it could be within a year and a half to two years that a referendum would be held to decide whether or not the constitutional changes necessary for accession to the EEC would be passed. If it is possible to have a referendum in that period I think we should consider including the other amendments at the same time.
The Taoiseach has made a number of statesmanlike speeches at the Ard-Fheis and elsewhere. Would he agree that the time has come for some action on this matter of the Constitution? While study may be necessary in the situation, would he agree that an admirable model for the ideal Republican constitution could well be found in the original Irish Free State Constitution, before the sectarian constitution of 1937 was introduced?
I will not agree. I was not at the age of political maturity when that Constitution was passed by the people. I was at that age when the second one was passed.
We hope that the Taoiseach is at the age of political maturity now.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach endorsed the Treaty on the radio the other night, without qualification.
I did no such thing. If the Deputy tries to misrepresent me, he will not get away with it. I did no such thing.
(Interruptions.)