Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I am aware of the barriers that exist in the Constitution. Everybody agrees that the civil partnership legislation introduced by the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, was ground-breaking.

It appears the convention will deal with a substantial number of justice issues. Has the Minister been given extra resources to deal with the pressure this will place on the Department, which is already under considerable pressure in terms of legislation to deal with the demands of the convention? Second, what is the Minister's understanding of the timescale of the convention? I know the Taoiseach is consulting at present and that he has taken control of the convention within his Department. Has he given the Minister any idea when such issues can be addressed? Third, if the convention agrees or recommends a proposal in regard to same-sex marriage, how long will the process then take? Will there be a referendum in 2013 or 2014 or has that been decided yet?

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