Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The budget is due to be introduced next week, which suggests an extremely tight timeline with regard to meaningful engagement on this matter prior to the recess. I am of the view that we should engage on this matter before the recess. I respectfully suggest, however, that there may be a need for a more detailed engagement when the House reconvenes after Christmas. I offer that suggestion in good faith because I am aware of the situation which obtains at the end of a Dáil term, particularly in the context of the introduction of the budget. The Taoiseach appeared to indicate that the structure of the convention has almost been worked out and that he wants to put this to the other parties in the House. Those parties might want to reflect on what is to be proposed or, alternatively, they may wish to put ideas to the Government in respect of both the structure of the convention and the parameters within which it should operate. Does the Taoiseach envisage that a wide-ranging public consultation process or mechanism will form part of the deliberations of the convention in order that people might offer submissions, etc.?

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