Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I would not rule out constitutional change on issues that are, perhaps, non-constitutional and where referenda are necessary. That could happen at any time following a judgment of the High Court or Supreme Court. There is none currently. Issues have arisen from the various reports of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which are being examined by various Departments, and they could result in constitutional referenda. A referendum is not planned but a number of issues are under consideration arising directly from the reports.

On Seanad reform, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is chairing a group. I am not sure where it is at but a parliamentary question to the Minister would be appropriate. Seanad reform is being examined on the basis of the comprehensive report the Seanad itself produced. The House appointed a good group which worked through most of the summer two years ago to produce that report and this is being used as the basis for discussion as well as some of the suggestions and proposals we made about extending membership and making Northern representation permanent. That matter is being examined again. I have no other view outside those views.

With regard to the publication of the heads of a Bill and the regulatory impact analysis, it was suggested it would be a good idea to circulate the heads of a Bill in more areas, though perhaps not all, to generate discussion and to allow interest groups, whether they comprise social partners or others, to make a submission. It is not something new. This has been done over the years in many Departments. It is a good practice but some Departments do not share that view. It is a way of speeding up the process. However, legislation is always better when one consults. Perhaps that is my view because I spent much of my ministerial career in the Department of Labour. I did not invent it but the basis of doing business in that Department was to discuss the heads of a Bill with employers and trade unions which gave them an input and improved the legislation. Perhaps that cannot be done in every area but a number of Ministers are doing it. I welcome that because it is a good way to give people an input. It is not possible when a Bill is put through the House quickly but many Bills take two or three years at least before they get through the system. The publication of the heads of Bills is part of policy and the regulatory impact analysis. It was not previously but the process has become formalised and there is more compulsion on people to do it.

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