Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Under the Programme for National Recovery, the Government is committed to holding constitutional referendums on the following matters, on a priority basis: the abolition of Seanad Éireann; the granting of full investigative powers for Oireachtas committees; protecting the confidentiality of citizens' communications with their public representatives; reducing the salaries of judges in restricted circumstances; and children's rights. The preparation of the necessary Bills to enable referendums to be held on these proposals will be progressed by the relevant members of the Government as speedily as possible. The likely timing of referendums on the proposals will be considered when a clearer picture emerges and the Bills are ready for presentation to the Oireachtas.

In addition, the programme commits the Government to establishing a constitutional convention to consider comprehensive constitutional reform and to report within 12 months on the following matters: the review of the Dáil electoral system; reducing the term of office of the President from seven to five years; provision for same-sex marriage; broadening the reference in the Constitution to the role of women in the home to one which recognises the role of the parent in the home; removing reference to blasphemy from the Constitution; the possible reduction of the voting age; and other relevant constitutional amendments that may be recommended by the constitutional convention. Work has commenced on the preparation of detailed proposals for the establishment of the convention which will be considered by the Government when they are ready. They will address matters such as the structure, composition and terms of reference of the convention, including the basis on which it will be established. The House will have an opportunity to debate these when they are presented.

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