Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution receives Citizens' Assembly report

Senator Noone today welcomed the publication of the Report and Recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly dealing with the Eight Amendment of the Constitution.

“I would like to thank Justice Mary Laffoy and the members of the Citizens' Assembly for the excellent work they have done on behalf of the Oireachtas in dealing with this difficult and quite divisive aspect of our public life in Ireland. The work of the experts, in particular, in giving objective evidence to the Citizens Assembly will be an invaluable help to the Committee as it begins its deliberations on the recommendations in the report.

“Each of the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly must now be considered by the Joint Committee as a first step in considering the likely shape of legislation both in this area and on the broader issue of the amendment of the Constitution. While we have a limited amount of time to consider this issue, we can now use the work done by the Citizens Assembly, to consider this issue in a comprehensive, objective and mature manner. The outcome of our deliberations is a matter for the Committee and as Chair, I will not prejudge that outcome at this stage"

“The Committee will meet next Wednesday to commence the preparatory work that is necessary in order to engage with each recommendation and the likelihood is that our public hearings will commence shortly after the Dáil and Seanad reconvenes after the summer recess.”