Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome that the Taoiseach intends to meet the leaders of political parties before the recess to discussion the establishment of the constitutional convention and the Government's proposals because when I last tabled this question as far back as June, the Taoiseach indicated that, before the final structure and terms of reference would be agreed, party leaders would be consulted. We have not had any consultation since then on anything to do with the establishment of the convention. Will the Taoiseach facilitate the presentation of some ideas on the terms of reference and parameters of the convention? In previous replies, he raised the prospect of the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad and the children's rights referendum being debated separately to the work of the convention. Is it still his intention to deal with the abolition of the Seanad outside the parameters of the convention or does he envisage that matter being deliberated on within the convention?

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