There are two parts to the Deputy's question. First there is her statement that it is most unlikely the Unionist tradition would wish to express views about changes required here, but if that is the case part of paragraph 6 of the Downing Street Declaration is defunct.It states:
In recognition of the fears of the Unionist community and as a token of his willingness to make a personal contribution to the building up of that necessary trust, the Taoiseach will examine with his colleagues any elements in the democratic life and organisation of the Irish State that can be represented to the Irish Government in the course of political dialogue as a real and substantial threat to their way of life and ethos,...
It is clear that that passage in the Downing Street Declaration, about which the Deputy has put down a question, is exclusively predicated on the expression by Unionists of a concern in this matter. The Deputy has said that she regards it as unlikely they will ever do. If that is the case both her question and that passage in the Downing Street Declaration are beside the point.
I happen to disagree with her as I think in the process of coming together in terms of understanding the two traditions on the island it is reasonable that we should listen to criticism from people on the other side. From time to time we are willing to criticise certain aspects of the Unionist tradition but if that is the case we should be equally willing to listen to criticism in the course of political dialogue that he might wish to make to us.
Second, the Deputy asked whether we should make such changes for their own sake. Of course we should and the Government is intent on doing that. Precisely because we recognise that such changes should be made for their own sake. The Government is in the process of initiating an overall review of the Constitution and is also proposing certain other specific changes to the Constitution which are referred to in the joint programme.