Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In the recent general election campaign Fine Gael promised to establish a citizens' assembly, while the Labour Party promised a constitutional convention. The programme for Government contains the name put forward by the Labour Party and the substance of the Fine Gael proposal. I asked the Taoiseach about this matter in March and he assured me that other parties in the House would be consulted well before any proposals were presented. That has not happened and there has been no consultation in respect of this mater. The legislation must be introduced in the next few weeks if it is to be passed before mid-July. Does the Taoiseach agree it would be a very bad start to the work of the convention if the first offer of consultation was reneged upon?

The Taoiseach previously stated the preparatory work relating to this matter is well advanced. Which Minister will be responsible to the House for the convention? How will it be funded?

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