Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Government sources are indicating to the media that people have been turning down the offer of chairing the convention. Will the Taoiseach comment? This might indicate the general sense out there that the Government's attempt to limit the work of the convention has essentially dampened a lot of interest in it. It has lacked credibility from the off and this may be a restricting factor, with people deciding not to become involved. It is clear to everyone that the Government's basic objective with this constitutional convention is to talk about radical reform but, in reality, to limit any chance that radical reform will actually be proposed.

In his reply, the Taoiseach went through the specific items that have been chosen by the Government, so I will not go over them again. He might indicate to us whether he believes in a specific way there is a likelihood of further referendums emanating from the work of the convention. Will he clarify for me before the convention starts whether, if the convention recommends that a referendum be held on another matter such as the membership and powers of the Government, he will allow such a referendum to be held? Will he give a commitment to support the holding of referendums on all recommended topics, not just those he or the Government agrees with? It is important that he give this commitment. If he does not, I suggest he should save the time and expense of the convention because it is not good enough that we will only be allowed to vote on what the Government decides we should be allowed to vote on. What would be the point of establishing the convention in the first instance if that were to be the case?

I asked a question on the marriage equality issue. The Taoiseach said he had not stated his personal opinion because he did not wish to pre-empt the convention. I respectfully suggest this has not stopped him from giving his opinions on a whole range of other issues that are going before the convention. Many people see the movement of that issue into the convention as a way of preventing Fine Gael from having to take a stance for as long as possible on the issue of marriage equality. I do not think the Taoiseach needs a convention to tell him what he believes on a basic human matter such as this.

The reason I tabled a question on the participation of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, GLEN, is that, given that we have decided to put the issue before the convention, the Government has an obligation to make sure those affected by the ban on marriage equality can participate in the discussion. The only group in our society whose rights are being considered by the convention should, in my view, be represented. It is a fair point. The Taoiseach has made a special case of it by kicking it to the convention. He should make a special case now and allow GLEN to be represented. GLEN is a long-established, highly professional representative organisation and it should be accorded the right not only to be heard by the convention but to actually participate in it. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach would give serious consideration to the position I have put to him.

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