Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for his question. I would like to have a meeting with Opposition leaders about the proposed structure for the constitutional convention, give them a few days to consider the terms of reference and so on and then reflect on people's views. We would like to get this as right as possible because it will affect the people long after we are gone from here.

We have committed to dealing with the questions of the abolition of the Seanad and a referendum on children's rights outside the convention. There is a separate argument in regard to the nature of the way we hold referenda in the future and whether it is appropriate to hold more than one on the same date given the confusion surrounding the recent referenda. If the turnout on an issue is not greater than 30%, it is invalid. The Oireachtas needs to consider these questions.

There is also a cost involved. We cannot hold referendums on a quarterly basis. I would like to talk separately to leaders about that and perhaps we can have an appropriate debate on it but it is the intention to hold the referendum in respect of the abolition of the Seanad and, when the children's advocacy groups get together and agree on a wording, to have the children's rights referendum outside the terms of the constitutional convention.

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