Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses have made strong points. Let me explain my thinking. Obviously this is after a process or at least a process that has been advocated in terms of some form of constitutional convention. Let us say there is a referendum where I ask people to vote in favour, then one must consider what implication it will have for the Constitution. Symbolism is important but there seems to be an argument for it not to be simply symbolic. If it is not going to be simply symbolic then aside from a right, it is important that we have a sense of it. I agree it should be accompanied by legislative provision but in so much as this applies to the Constitution, it is important to consider, if we are going to embark on a constitutional amendment that is justiciable, the circumstances in which we think that should be the case.