Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

This is a serious issue because on all European Union treaty Bills the Opposition have been consulted, including, for example, the 2001, 2002 and 2004 referendums and other matters. There has always been prior consultation with the Opposition. As far back as 1996, the rainbow coalition consulted on divorce. For at least one and a half decades, various Governments have adopted the approach of consulting the Opposition on constitutional amendments. This is based on the solid idea that when it comes to fundamental change, in other words, change in the fundamental laws of the land, there should be an attempt to achieve agreement or as much consensus as possible across the political divide.

It has been more than three months since the Government briefed us that three constitutional amendments would be put to the people in October. This is the last week of the this session in the House. The Taoiseach promised consultation on these amendments. At this stage, the only people who have not been consulted on these amendments or on the wording of the amendments, for example, on judicial pay, are those in the Opposition. There has been no consultation. On Sunday there was a further leak about the text of two referendums being agreed this week. Again, this took place without consultation. How does the Taoiseach believe this fits with the commitment to increase the role of the Dáil? Can the Taoiseach explain how these three amendments will get proper consideration by the Oireachtas with so little time left between when the Dáil resumes in the autumn and the October timeline? These changes are fundamental to the role of the Oireachtas. Without precedent the Oireachtas has been marginalised in terms of its role in these amendments and the proposals for amendment to the Constitution to be held in October.

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