The programme for Government refers to the Citizens' Assembly. Is the Taoiseach perfectly happy with the composition and independence of the Citizens' Assembly? Many people throughout the country believe that 100 people can never accurately represent our estimated 3.3 million voters across the Twenty-six Counties and many rural counties, including my own of Tipperary, are not represented at all. Is the Taoiseach happy with that situation? Is the Taoiseach aware that at least 40% of the experts chosen by him to guide the representatives are in fact campaigners and cannot seriously be seen as unbiased?

The Deputy is straying beyond proposed legislation.

I am not straying. This is in the programme for Government and it is very important. The Citizens' Assembly takes away from the sovereignty of this House and two of the five members of the expert advisory group are pro-choice campaigners, though I have no qualms about the judge. This is not fair, nor is it open and transparent. It is totally biased.

I have answered questions on this already. This was not done on the basis of selection from each individual county. There was a tender process for a properly constructed polling company to do this work. It is not a reflection on the good people of Tipperary that somebody from that county was not chosen.

Or Kerry, or Sligo.

The Citizens' Assembly comprises 99 citizens under the direction of Ms Justice Mary Laffoy. They have also had to inquire as to whether others might do the job in case some of the first 99 chosen get ill.

Or have to step down.

I cannot tell the Deputy whether any of those are from Tipperary or if they might be called into action. It was an authentic tender process and, while other counties were also not represented, it was completely above board.

What about the second part of the question?

The Deputy has asked his question. He must resume his seat.

I asked about the fact that 40% of the expert panel were biased. This is the most important part of the question but the Taoiseach has refused to answer it. If he answers the question, I will resume my seat.

The Taoiseach has answered the question.

He has not answered the question.