Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the referendums he is planning after the blasphemy referendum of 26 October 2018. [43912/18]
View answerThursday, 29 November 2018
Questions (10)
Written answers
Under the timetable approved by Government on 26 September 2017, it is proposed to hold a referendum on divorce together with the European Parliament and local elections in 2019. In that regard, I am advised that the timeframe for the European Parliament elections is 23 to 26 May 2019.
The Government has decided to support the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill 2016, a Private Member's Bill introduced by Deputy (now Minister) Josepha Madigan. I am currently considering the question of the scope of the amendment that might be proposed, taking into account the issues raised by Deputies at the Committee Stage debate on the Bill. I intend to bring proposals to Government in that regard shortly, with a view to publishing early in the New Year the Government's proposal for an amendment on divorce.
The referendum on a woman's life within the home (Article 41.2 of the Constitution) did not proceed as planned in October as the Bill to amend the Constitution was not passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas in time. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality conducted pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Bill on 19 and 26 September and I understand that it will launch its Report on the matter on 6 December. Following this, I will consider how this matter might be taken forward.
Question No. 11 answered orally.