I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together.
In my reply to similar questions on 11 February 2003, I stated that the previous Government acted on most of the key recommendations which have emanated from the All Party Committee on the Constitution. In all, the previous Government brought forward nine referenda on Cabinet confidentiality, the Amsterdam treaty the British-Irish Agreement, local government, the death penalty, the International Criminal Court, the protection of human life in pregnancy and two on the Nice treaty. Unfortunately, a proposed referendum on judicial conduct did not proceed due to lack of cross-party support in the Dáil.
The Government will avail of appropriate opportunities to take forward further recommendations of the all-party committee. The complexities involved in holding a referendum require that careful consideration be given to the frequency with which referenda can realistically be held and the significance of the issues in question. At this point, there are no plans to hold any referenda during 2003.
I wrote to the All-Party Committee on the Constitution in February 2000, requesting it to consider the property rights aspects of the Constitution. To this end, it has invited submissions on property rights from the public and interest groups by way of advertisements in the newspapers on Friday, 11 April and Sunday, 13 April 2003. The committee is giving this matter priority and will make recommendations as soon as deliberations are completed.
The Deputies will also be aware that a sub-committee of the Seanad Committee on Procedures and Privileges is considering the overall issue of reform of the Seanad. The recommendations they will make in due course may also require constitutional amendment.