Vol. 222 No. 3
asked the Taoiseach what particular Article or Articles of the Constitution he has in mind for alteration or repeal in whole or in part; the purpose or purposes in mind; and if the changes mooted would in the considered opinion of the Governent make for more advantageous conditions both financially and constitutionally either nationally or internationally or both.
2.
asked the Taoiseach in what particulars the Constitution is in need of review as indicated by him in his speech at Limerick on 25th March.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he is prepared to elaborate to the Dáil on his statement in Limerick on Friday, 25th March, 1966, regarding constitutional changes.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
I have suggested that it would be desirable to undertake now a general review of the constitutional, legislative and institutional basis of Government in Ireland, and thereafter every twenty-five years or so. I am at present considering how best such a review might be carried out.
In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to express any view on the matters that might be examined or even to suggest that such an examination might result in proposals for changes.
Surely the Taoiseach had some particular constitutional aspects in mind when he thought it important enough to advertise such a matter in an important public speech?
Not necessarily.
It is obvious to everybody that the Taoiseach could not be just talking in vacuo in this matter. I would like to ask him has he in mind any diminution of the 32-County de jure sovereignty in such a review?
Do not be absurd.
It is very relevant to what he is doing at the present time in relation to Northern Ireland.
May we assume that, in his pre-occupation with constitutional considerations, the Taoiseach will not overlook the urgent present problem of the balance of trade and the balance of payments?
Certainly. The Government will overlook no problems, urgent or otherwise.
Perhaps the Taoiseach would like the people to overlook them by talking about the Constitution.
