Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

Sinn Féin believes that there is a clear need for radical and far-reaching reform of the Constitution. We are committed to working towards an entirely new constitution as the cornerstone of a new republic. If approached in the right way, the constitutional reform project could inspire people, revive their hopes for a positive future and become a catalyst for change and national unity.

We welcome the Government's proposal on establishing a constitutional convention that would undertake "comprehensive constitutional reform". Like some other promises, however, the proposal has fallen far short. The Bill is a blunt tool for engagement and will restrict the ability to consult the Irish people. The consultation process will only be focused on one small part of a bigger picture.

The Government's proposal outlines the issues for consideration by the convention. These include giving citizens living overseas the right to vote at Irish embassies in presidential elections, the provision for same-sex marriages and reducing the voting age to 17 years.

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