Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On the proposed constitutional amendment on the rights of children, has the Taoiseach noted that the initial meeting of the new Oireachtas committee took place last week and that advertisements are now being placed requesting submissions from interested parties by 31 January? The committee's deliberations on further engagement following the receipt of submissions from interested parties will have to be determined in the coming weeks but the programme of work has yet to be finalised. Has the Taoiseach noted, arising from the meeting, that all of the participant groupings, including me, representing Sinn Féin, have indicated that they want to arrive at a situation where they are all supportive of the proposition? People are approaching it in a spirit of good will and with the purpose of arriving at the best formula of words that will ensure the delivery in the Constitution of the guaranteed rights of children.

On the other matter of the commentary by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, regarding his intent to act on Seanad reform, the Taoiseach earlier said it would be 'some considerable time' before we reached the point where we would address Seanad reform by constitutional amendment. Did the Minister discuss in any way, cursory or otherwise, his proposed signalling of his intent to act on Seanad reform? Some of the recommendations made in the report on Seanad reform, to which Deputy Gilmore referred, involving the universities would require legislation only. I am interested to hear the Taoiseach's view because I am not clear from the reply he gave to Deputy Gilmore regarding the proposed retention of the elitist system of election by university graduates whether he would be prepared to dispense with it once and for all. I concur with Deputy Gilmore's remarks in that respect. Will the Taoiseach share with us his outlook on the matter?

The other part of the proposed reform would require a referendum on an amendment of the Constitution. It is proposed that a number of Senators would be elected directly by the people using a list system in a single constituency. Has the Taoiseach discussed the matter with the Minister and is there agreement in principle between them on that element and when the referendum might be held? On the Minister's signalled intent of acting upon Seanad reform and the Taoiseach's earlier reference, where do the two meet and into what does "some considerable time" translate in real terms? If it is the case that this reform is agreed in principle between the Taoiseach and the Minister, will he take the opportunity to seriously consider instituting an all-Ireland Seanad by the establishment of a single constituency, not of 26 counties but 32? Will they consider extending the franchise to all citizens north of the Border to exercise, as they choose, their entitlement under our Constitution to participate in such an electoral process? Does the Taoiseach agree it is not beyond the gift of our Government and State to extend the franchise to citizens living outside of the jurisdiction? This is done, as the Taoiseach has noted many times, by other democracies for their citizens living abroad. In this instance, it would be Irish citizens living on the island of Ireland.

Will the Taoiseach consider this proposal as a way of advancing his own commitment to extending his party's elected role throughout the island of Ireland? Would he see this proposal as a further out working of his commitment to Six County directly elected representation in the Houses of the Oireachtas?

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