Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 to 35, inclusive, together.

The Government published its proposals for the constitutional convention on 28 February and, on 7 June, we published our response to Opposition parties' views on those proposals. We will shortly move resolutions in both Houses of the Oireachtas approving establishment of the convention. The Government intends that the convention will consist of 100 members, including a chairperson. A polling company will be engaged to select at random 66 people entitled to vote in a referendum to be members of the convention on the basis that they will be representative of the population generally in terms of gender, age, social class and region. The selection process will be overseen by the convention's independent chairperson. Legislation will be required to use the electoral register in the selection and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will bring forward that legislation shortly.

The remaining 33 members of the convention will be made up of Oireachtas Members and a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly from each of the political parties in the Assembly which accepts an invitation from the Government to be represented on the convention. While I have not met interest groups in regard to the convention, I am aware that several have signalled a desire to participate in its work. Some, including the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, have made written representations to me. Views have also been expressed that specific sections of society should be included in the membership of the convention, including vulnerable, disadvantaged or marginalised groups; children; persons from Northern Ireland, including, in particular, Northern Unionists; the diaspora; and Ireland's newest citizens. The Government is firmly of the view that the convention should be composed of ordinary citizens and elected representatives. It is not practical to accommodate as members, in a fair and representative manner, all of the groups or sections of society that have been proposed. However, it is expected that interest groups will be able to interact with the convention, including by making submissions, and that the chairperson and members will be anxious to hear from a representative spectrum of opinion in carrying out their work.

The convention will be asked to consider the topics outlined in the programme for Government, including giving citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in presidential elections at Irish embassies or otherwise. As well as specific topics, the programme makes clear that the convention is free to consider "other relevant constitutional amendments that may be recommended by it".

To get the convention started, the Government proposes that initially it should look at two matters: reducing the presidential term to five years; and reducing the voting age to 17. The convention will be asked to submit reports on these two matters within two months. In that way, any necessary refinements to the convention can be made before it starts the rest of its work.

The Government is aware that there have been calls for a more comprehensive work programme for the convention. It is our view that the convention should deal first with the specific topics in the programme for Government. The Government is prepared to consider whether other topics could be considered at a later date, in the light of experience. I will consult with Opposition representatives and the chairperson of the convention at the appropriate time.

The convention will be independent in the performance of its functions and the role of the Government is to assist, as appropriate, in setting it up. A budget of €300,000 has been provided for the convention this year and staff are being provided from within existing numbers. Preparations are continuing for the establishment of the convention and I expect that it will hold its first meeting in September.

I should mention that I engaged in two rounds of consultations with Opposition parties on the proposed structure and operation of the convention. Suggestions put forward by them are being taken into account in framing the resolutions that the Government will bring before the Houses shortly. Also, as I mentioned earlier, the Government recently published its response to the suggestions made by the Opposition parties on the merrionstreet.ie website.

Finally, I stress that the Government has made public its commitment to giving a public response, through the Oireachtas, to each recommendation from the convention within four months, and to arrange for a debate in the Oireachtas on that response in each case. In the event that the Government accepts a recommendation that the Constitution be amended, our response will include a timeframe for the holding of a referendum.

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