Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It does not read that way in the amendment. I understand this is what the Senator said in her speech and I accept that. To be clear, climate change was added in by a Dáil decision. The other issues were picked by the partnership arrangement. Those who wanted to form a Government came together and made decisions on a range of issues and put them in a programme for Government. This generally dictates what a Government tries to do.

The Senator might appreciate it was by agreement and consultation among the people who formed the Government, and others who are supporting it, that those issues were picked. It would not be right or proper to take them out again. That is what a partnership Government is there for, and that is why we have a programme for Government, to set an agenda. That is what it is doing. I assume the Senator's concern is that having other issues included will distract the assembly from the eighth amendment, but I want to make it very clear it is the first issue to be discussed and this is set out in both resolutions and was set out during discussions in the Dáil this week. I do not think this will happen.

It is specifically stated that the assembly will consider the eighth amendment first, and that when the report is finished it will come to the House immediately. It does not have to wait for all of the other reports. The House will then decide how it progresses from there. I hope this brings clarity. I know the Senator has concerns and that she might want to press the amendments, but I am not sure if they will achieve anything on the time frames. I do not know whether they would delay it. I urge the Senator to understand there is a genuine effort to consult the citizens assembly in a process in what we think is quite a reasonable timeframe. To be clear, it does not need to take 12 months. I thank the House for its time.