Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I agree the consultation group should be established shortly. I will arrange for invitations to be issued to the various party leaders. My view, for what it is worth, is that we should not confine the group to members of established parties and that we should get the widest range of opinion and perhaps invite one or two non-party members. I am in the hands of the committee. Whatever it collectively wants to do, I will make sure is carried into effect.

With regard to setting timetables, the Deputy is correct that while we have plenty of time, it is just one or two Dáil terms so we might as well get down to it as soon as possible. Invitations will issue to the various party leaders shortly. I would encourage future members of the Oireachtas consultation group to do what their predecessors did not do despite repeated requests, namely, to nominate academic and other specialists and experts to the group, who will then come up with concrete recommendations. I found it difficult — not through any lack of effort on my part — to get personnel nominated to serve on that group.

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