Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2011
113 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ask an all-party Oireachtas committee to review the outcome of the recent referendum on Oireachtas inquiries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34357/11]
View answerI believe that it is important that the Government and the wider political system now reflect on the result of the recent Referendum on Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries, and on the views put forward during the Referendum campaign. Collectively, we need to seek to understand the reasons the proposal was not accepted. We also need to take the time to analyse these, and consider options for the way forward drawing on consultations with interested parties and further information that might be available on the reasons for the electorate's decision making on the proposed constitutional change.
I am consulting with the Office of the Attorney General as to possible options including the scope that exists to provide by statute for an inquiry role for committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas, consistent with the existing constitutional position.
Pending the conclusion of this work and the identification of the different options for advancing this issue, it is not my intention to embark upon the course of action suggested by the Deputy.
