Constitutional reform proposals
The Tánaiste said the Government has no current plans to amend the Constitution, prioritising economic recovery over broad constitutional reform. De Rossa urged setting up a body to consider reform in light of issues including planning, property rights and divorce.
asked the Taoiseach if there are any plans for the reform of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
In the light of that very clear statement, in view of the age of the Constitution and the number of questions that have arisen, specifically with regard to the planning laws, to property rights, to civil divorce and so on, would the Tánaiste not consider it time that a body was set up by this House to consider refrom of the Constitution?
Comment on this
This Government have got their priorities right with regard to getting the country back on the economic rails and this is being done successfully, but that job will not be successfully concluded until we have further investment development and further employment creation. We have been concentrating on that aspect which is all important rather than on engaging in what I would call constitutional adventures which, in our humble opinion, took up far too much time in the last Government's occupancy. However, I do not want to start any rumpus over that. We do not have any proposals at the moment for reform of the Constitution.