asked the Taoiseach when it is intended to introduce a Bill providing for the abolition of proportional representation; and when it is expected that a Referendum on the matter will be held.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Abolition of Proportional Representation.
The Bill is being introduced to-day and the Referendum will be held as soon as practicable after the Bill has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to quote the Taoiseach's own words at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fhe is where he said it would be necessary for everybody in Fianna Fáil to take off their coast to win this Referendum? Does he intend to resign his part-time job as Taoiseach and take over the controlling directorship of the Irish Press in order to sway the Irish public?
Arising from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, would it not be more respectful to Parliament if the reply stated "if and when the Bill passes this House"? Perhaps the Taoiseach would answer that question?
That is understood, I think.
Mind you, I do not think it is and I think the Taoiseach might have made that gesture to Parliament even though he has an absolute majority. Strong Governments, you know, can get too strong.
Is the Deputy afraid of the people? Is that the point?
Will the Taoiseach amend the terms of his reply?
The reply is quite all right.
asked the Taoiseach if he will consider referring to public bodies for their opinions the question of the abolition of proportional representation.
I do not think there is any need for such an exceptional procedure as that suggested by the Deputy. The proposals in the Bill for the amendment of the Constitution will be debated in the two Houses of the Oireachtas and will then be submitted by Referendum for the judgment of the people as a whole.
That will be permitted, I take it?
Of course, you do not like Referenda. You remember when you would not have one on the Oath and you amended the Constitution to prevent that?
Will a discussion by both Houses of the Oireachtas be permitted?
You remember when you prevented a Referendum on the Oath of Allegiance?
The Minister for Health ought to keep his mouth a little bit shut.
You remember that time?
In view of the fact that the major local authority in Ireland, at any rate, one of the leading local authorities, Dublin Corporation, has already given an adverse decision, will the Taoiseach not consider giving all representative bodies an opportunity of expressing their opinion on his action? I say advisedly "his action" because, as I can see the position, it is entirely the Taoiseach's wish to abolish proportional representation.
Does the Taoiseach think it appropriate that his reply should be that this Bill will be submitted for consideration by both Houses of the Oireachtas and then to a Referendum? Surely there ought to be in a stated reply of the Taoiseach, "if passed by both Houses, then submitted to a Referendum."
The Deputy knows his Constitution, I hope.
I hope I do.
So do the majority of the people.
Does the Taoiseach not think that for the sake of preserving the esteem of the people for this Oireachtas, its right to reject legislation proposed by the Executive should be recognised by the Taoiseach in a formal reply to a question of this kind?
The fact that a Bill has to come before this House is enough for that.
No.
Question No. 4.
This is a very important matter. Surely we should envisage the possibility of Parliament considering and rejecting such a proposal?
This is raising a matter entirely outside the question on the Order Paper.
It is raising the question of whether the Taoiseach is to treat this Parliament as a rubber stamp or not and I want to tell him he never will.
Question No.4.
He never will.
Could I have an answer from the Taoiseach to my supplementary question?
I answered that question.
The question is simply why will the Taoiseach not seek the opinions of the local authorities?
There is nothing in the Constitution which suggests that. Such a procedure has never been used before.
That does not stop the Taoiseach trying it for the first time.