Proinsias De Rossa
Question:15 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, the Government has to bring forward any amendments to the Constitution during this Dáil session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17508/98]
Written Answers. - Constitutional Amendments.
The Government's legislative programme published by the Chief Whip on 28 September 1998 lists 18 Bills which the Government expects to publish before the end of 1998. No Government Bills to amend the Constitution are envisaged in that period but we have agreed, in principle, to bring forward at a future date a proposal to accord a constitutional guarantee for local government as recommended by the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. This proposal is being developed by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in the context of amending legislation on local government reform. It is envisaged that the text of the proposed constitutional amendment will be referred to the all-party committee for consideration.