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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Referendum and constitutional debates

Summary

Senators discuss referendum advertising and the Trinity debate, while Senator Bacik seeks debates on Constitutional Convention recommendations and effective climate emissions oversight.

Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I wish to express my horror and outrage at the attack on the two young girls in Athlone reported at the weekend.

Everyone will share this feeling of disgust. The Senator was quite right to say that this was a matter for the Garda. We should all commend the Garda on its proactive investigation and leave the matter at that in terms of public comment. It was an appalling incident.

Last week, I was asked as Deputy Leader to communicate with Fine Gael regarding its referendum advertising campaign. I stress that it is not a Government campaign. There are two parties, both of which are in government, that are running two campaigns. Particular exception was taken by colleagues to the Fine Gael advertisement's figure of €20 million. I wrote to Mr. Tom Curran, Fine Gael's general secretary, and to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, Fine Gael's director of elections, asking that the posters be withdrawn and that the slogan be rejected on the basis of the comments made in this House, which I do not need to rehearse. The figures have been utterly refuted and undermined.

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Did the Senator get a response?

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I have not yet received a response, but I will-----

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Did Senator Paul Coghlan receive a response regarding the request I made of him?

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I commend those involved in organising the Trinity College public debate on the Seanad referendum last night. I am glad to say that the "No" side won handsomely. My colleague, Senator Barrett, spoke passionately at it. The reports have been good.

Will the Leader arrange for an early debate on the reports of the Constitutional Convention? Like many, I was in attendance at the weekend when the extension of votes to Irish citizens resident outside the State, for example, in Northern Ireland, was debated. It was an interesting debate that saw moving presentations from representatives of the diaspora in countries as far away as Australia, the US and European countries. They argued passionately for the extension of voting rights in presidential elections at least. The Government must respond to the recommendations of the convention within four months. That period is due to run out shortly on the report recommending a change to the Constitution to allow for marriage equality. Similarly, we should debate the strong recommendation of the convention in respect of the extension of voting rights. That 78% of members were in favour of an extension is a ringing endorsement of the principle. I hope we will see referendums on that issue as well as on the other issues on which the convention has made recommendations.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, of the UN made a chilling report on global warming and the significant role played by human behaviour in causing climate change. Next Tuesday, the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will finalise its report on the Government's proposed climate change legislation. Let us remember that it was this House in which a climate change Bill was first introduced in 2007.

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

Yes.

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We were ahead of the Lower House. We are still awaiting a final Bill from the Dáil. It would be good for this House to debate the most effective strategy for emissions reductions and independent oversight and monitoring of the targets that must be set to combat this overwhelming threat to human life.

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