Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 March 2012
73 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach the way citizens are going to be picked to be on the panel for the constitutional convention; and the way a variety of viewpoints will be included without pre-screening or prejudicing potential candidates. [16117/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra74 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Taoiseach the way the 33 Oireachtas members due to serve on the Constitutional Convention will be selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15186/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra75 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach when the planned constitutional convention will be formed; and if he will outline the field of expertise that will form part of the Committee. [14700/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra76 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the Constitution Convention. [16395/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra77 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Taoiseach the way young persons outside the political system apply for the upcoming Constitutional Convention. [16396/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 73 to 77, inclusive, together.
The Government's proposals for the Constitutional Convention, including its composition and the topics it will consider, have been made public on www.merrionstreet.ie.
It is proposed that the Convention should consist of 100 members, including a chairperson. 66 will be ordinary citizens and the remaining 33 will be made up of Oireachtas members and one parliamentarian from each of the political parties in Northern Ireland which accept an invitation to be represented.
It is envisaged that the electoral register would be used to select the 66 citizens and that a polling company would be used to make the selection so that it is as representative of society as possible. It is also proposed that the involvement of citizens from Northern Ireland, and of Irish people abroad, will be facilitated by electronic means. Such technology should of course also facilitate the engagement of citizens at home.
In its proposals the Government has said that, rather than appoint experts as members of the Convention, an Expert Advisory Group will be established to provide the Convention with information and advice. This Group would be made up of political scientists, constitutional lawyers and academics. The Convention would be able to call on different experts from this panel according as different topics are examined. Persons on the panel will be expected to give their services ‘pro-bono’.
I have met representatives of the Opposition parties and the Dáil Technical Group to consult them on the Government's proposals for the Constitutional Convention and they have reverted to me with their views. A further meeting is envisaged when these have been been considered. The Government proposes that the Convention be set up by Resolutions of the Houses of the Oireachtas and these will be introduced in the next session.
