Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
166. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach his views on whether there should be a constant review of the Constitution and that each generation should have a say on the total document; if such a move will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52252/12]
View answerThere are no plans for a referendum on the entire Constitution. I would of course point out that the Programme for Government commits the Government to bringing forward proposals for Constitutional reform in a number of areas. Four matters have already been put to the people in referendums since the Government came into office, three of them in fulfilment of commitments in the Programme. The Government also intends to hold referendums on abolition of the Seanad and on reform of our Courts system.
In addition, the Constitutional Convention will hold its inaugural meeting on Saturday next, 1 December. Over the next year, the Convention will consider a wide range of questions: reducing the Presidential term of office to five years and aligning it with the local and European elections; reducing the voting age to 17; review of the Dáil electoral system; giving citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in Presidential elections at Irish Embassies, or otherwise; provision in the Constitution for same-sex marriage; amending the clause on the role of women in the home and encouraging greater participation of women in public life; increasing the participation of women in politics; removing the offence of blasphemy from the Constitution; and such other relevant constitutional amendments that may be recommended by the Convention.
The Government has formally committed to giving a public response, through the Houses of the Oireachtas, to each recommendation from the Convention within four months of receiving it, and we will arrange for a debate in both Houses on that response. If we accept a recommendation that the Constitution should be amended, our response will include a timeframe for the holding of the necessary referendum.
