Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the referenda he proposes to hold during the term of Government. [27126/16]
View answerTuesday, 4 October 2016
Questions (8, 9)
Bríd Smith
Question:9. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach the plans he has for any referenda in the coming year. [27372/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to holding Constitutional referendums on the following matters:
- Article 41.2.1, regarding a "woman's life within the home"
- Article 40.6.1, on the offence of blasphemy
- Ireland's participation in the Unified Patent Court
- Giving the Office of Ceann Comhairle constitutional standing.
The Programme for a Partnership Government also commits the Government to establish a Citizens' Assembly with a mandate to look at a limited number of key issues. While not all these issues relate to the Constitution, the Citizen's Assembly will be asked to make recommendations to the Dáil on the Eighth Amendment, on fixed-term parliaments and on the manner in which referendums are held.
The Programme for a Partnership Government also says that on foot of the recommendation of the Banking Inquiry, the Government will seek a review of the powers of Oireachtas Committees in conducting inquiries and, based on this review, will consider whether there should be a Constitutional referendum to strengthen Committees' powers.
As regards timing, no decision has been made on this as yet. I should add that before any referendum would be scheduled, I would of course bring a proposal to Government and hold discussions with Opposition Leaders.
Questions Nos. 10 to 16 resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 17 to 24, inclusive, answered orally.