asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to a statement in a magazine (details supplied) that a new Constitution is being prepared within a three year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Constitution Proposals.
1.
asked the Taoiseach if the Government have any proposals for the preparation of a new Constitution; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The Government are not having a new Constitution prepared.
May I ask the Taoiseach would he not agree that there is a need for a new Constitution in the light of the major social and other changes which have taken place since the last Constitution was enacted?
As the Deputy is aware, the all-party committee have been considering this matter but so far they have not reached any firm conclusions on it.
Are they considering a new Constitution?
I understand they are reviewing the whole constitutional situation.
It is not a question of whether we are to have a new Constitution or not but the fact that one of the Taoiseach's Ministers——
A question please, Deputy.
——stated that we were having one.
I think the Deputy is referring to an article which was published in The Word magazine when a question was put to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. If the Deputy re-reads the article I think he will see that the Minister did not say that a new Constitution was being prepared.
The Minister implied that within a three year period we would have a new Constitution.