Constitutional Convention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2011

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Questions (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)

Clare Daly

Question:

86 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach if the proposed constitutional convention will be independent of the Oireachtas in the exercise of its function; if it will be open-ended in its remit and agenda; if it will contain a representative cross-section of citizens; if it will be citizen led and not be dominated by political parties and interest groups; if it will present its recommendations within 12 months of its formation; and if those recommendations, unaltered by the Government, will be put to a referendum of the people within a further six months. [35482/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

87 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the proposed timeline for work on the constitutional convention; and the way that participation in the convention will be structured. [35495/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

97 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the procedures he will put in place to ensure participation by communities and civic society in the constitutional convention. [36087/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

98 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the timeframe he envisages for the proposed constitutional convention. [36088/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

99 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the work of the proposed constitutional convention will commence. [36089/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

100 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the steps that have been taken to prepare for the setting up of the proposed constitutional convention. [36090/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

101 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the matters which will be under the remit of the constitutional convention. [36091/11]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 87 and 97 to 101, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Constitutional Convention and indicates areas for it to examine. The Programme says that the Convention will report within 12 months. I have previously indicated that, in order to give the Convention time to fully consider the matters which will be referred to it, the 12 month period should run from the date of its establishment, which it is intended will be in the Spring of next year. Work is proceeding in my Department on the preparation of proposals for the setting up of the Convention, including consideration of issues raised in the Deputies' questions. When these proposals are ready, they will be considered by the Government and I intend that they will be the subject of full consultation with the opposition parties.