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

I appreciate that. My point is that there is a clear case for allowing the people whose rights are being considered to participate, even in the section dealing with the issue of marriage equality. Also, I am disappointed with the Taoiseach's response that he will not give a blanket guarantee on the holding of referendums that the convention may recommend.

What is the point of it all if only a few items are put before the convention and we end up with an expensive talking shop that produces nothing and leads to no recommendations? The Taoiseach must firm up on what will emanate from the work of the convention itself.

Could the Taoiseach outline when he expects the convention to begin its work? Will it have its first meeting before Christmas and when does he expect a chair to be appointed? The issue has been dragging on for a long time. The pace is extraordinarily slow, from the time the Taoiseach mooted the idea, to the announcements before the summer, the rushed consultations before the summer recess and, as I expected, very little happened during the summer and right up to now. Will the Taoiseach give a sense of the timeline for the convention?

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