Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
167 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Taoiseach his views on choosing the participants for the upcoming constitutional convention; if it is still proposed to randomly select 66 citizens to participate; the measures being taken to ensure a fair representation of LGBT citizens; if he plans to engage with key organisations such as Marriage Equality in relation to the deliberations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28107/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government expect to introduce Resolutions in the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly to establish the Constitutional Convention. The Resolutions will propose that the Convention should consist of 100 members, including a chairperson.
A polling company will be engaged to select 66 people on the electoral register to be members of the Convention on the basis that the persons selected are representative of the population generally in terms of gender, age, social class and region. Legislation will be required to use the electoral register for this purpose.
The selection process will be overseen by the independent chairperson of the Convention, who must be a person of exceptional ability with a high degree of public acceptability. The Government will seek consensus on the nomination of a chairperson in the context of the proposed Resolutions.
The remaining 33 members of the Convention will be made up of Oireachtas members and one parliamentarian from each of the politicial parties in Northern Ireland which accept an invitation to be represented.
I am aware that a number of interest groups have signalled a desire to participate in the work of the Convention. The view has also been expressed that specific sections of society should be included in the membership of the Convention, including vulnerable, disadvantaged or marginalised groups; children; persons from Northern Ireland, especially Northern unionists; the Diaspora; and Ireland's newest citizens.
The Government is firmly of the view that the Convention should be composed of ordinary citizens and elected representatives. It is not practical to accommodate as members, in a fair and representative manner, all of the groups or sections of society that have been proposed. However, it is anticipated that interest groups will be able to interact with the Convention, including by making submissions. It is also expected that the chairperson and members of the Convention will be anxious to hear from a representative spectrum of opinion in carrying out their work.
