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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Constitutional Convention recommendations

Summary

Mary Lou McDonald criticises the Government’s failure to respond to several Constitutional Convention recommendations within the promised timeframe. The Tánaiste says she should pursue a debate through the Whips.

The Taoiseach confirmed yesterday that only two of the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention will be put by way of referendum during the lifetime of the Government. The Tánaiste will recall that the Dáil resolution to establish the convention committed the Government to respond to each of the recommendations within four months of publication and to schedule separate Dáil debates, yet the Government has failed to meet the deadline in regard to four convention reports on which we still do not even know the Government position. The deadline on extending the vote to citizens resident outside the State passed on 26 March 2014. The deadline on the three final reports of the convention passed almost six months ago. When will the overdue Dáil debates on the right to vote and on Dáil reform on economic, social and cultural rights take place, and when will the establishment a second convention be scheduled? When will the Government make the position on the recommendations known? By the way, that is not the same as asking when referenda might be held, as the Taoiseach has already told us that nothing more will be done by this Administration in that regard.

My second question relates to the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005. The Bill completed Committee Stage in April 2009, nearly six years ago, and it has still not reached Report Stage. My colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, asked the Taoiseach about the matter in October 2014 but the Taoiseach knew nothing about it. I hope the Tánaiste will be more helpful. It is interesting legislation which also introduces some of the recommendations of the Moriarty tribunal. Could the Tánaiste explain the whereabouts of the Bill and the reason for such a lengthy passage of time without a conclusion to the Bill?

Comment on this

In regard to the various reports of the convention, I understand the Deputy wishes to see progress on the commitments made. I am sure the Whips would be very well disposed to arranging a debate if the Sinn Féin Whip chooses to engage with the other Whips. I will leave Deputy McDonald to address that with her own Whip.

Comment on this

It was a Government commitment made in respect of a particular schedule.

Comment on this

There is no difficulty. Deputy McDonald should get her Whip to raise the matter with the other Whips. It is not a problem.

Comment on this

The Whips should not have to do so.

Comment on this

Whip, whip, whip. It will be cream next.

Comment on this