Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In terms of the constitutional reform programme, there seems to be an absence of any clarity or certainty from the Government. My question relates to the legislation to facilitate the referendum on the fiscal compact treaty. Yesterday, the Taoiseach was not in a position to answer the question on whether the legislation to establish the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, would be introduced before the fiscal compact treaty legislation.

We have a related situation in respect of the fiscal responsibility Bill. We have a situation in respect of the legislation to give rise to constitutional referendums on the Seanad and children's rights, which have been promised by the Government. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, has been adamant all year that the children's rights referendum will be held this year. During the course of one Question Time after another since entering into office, the Taoiseach has been adamant and categoric that the referendum to abolish the Seanad will be held this year. Arising from his reply yesterday, it now seems that this might not be the case and that we might have a Seanad referendum next year, if we are to have one at all.

To respect the House, it is about time that we be given a timeline on constitutional reform. The Government's proposals on the constitutional convention are underwhelming. On the face of it, it is farcical to suggest that, after bringing 100 people together, the first two items on their agenda would be to decide whether the voting age should be reduced from 18 years to 17 years and whether the presidential term should be reduced from seven years to five years. The Government does not need to bring 100 people together to decide on those two issues.

In terms of referendums on and fundamental reforms of various constitutional provisions, the Taoiseach needs to bring greater clarity to what his Government intends to lay before the House and the people during its lifetime. This situation is incoherent. There is no certainty around what will occur and when. Will the Government lay before the House a clear timeline for its objectives?

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