Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----and to examine what one would have to do to achieve that in terms of a constitutional bridge for the period. In those two cases the convention, composed of citizens and public representatives, should be well able to arrive at a conclusion one way or the other inside a specified period. We would then assess whether the convention has worked effectively. If it is deemed not to be working effectively then we must change it to make it work effectively so that when it moves to more complex constitutional or legalistic arguments that it will at least have the facility and capacity to do its work well. The first point is to set up the constitutional convention but there is no point in having it if it is not going to work effectively.

Deputy Martin indicated that the gay and lesbian group should be allowed to participate. They will be allowed to do so. I have no doubt the chair of the convention will be more than anxious to hear from particular sectors of society and that the gay and lesbian sector will be entitled to go before the constitutional convention to put forward its case. We were clear at the outset that we did not want individual organisations or groups represented on the convention. The citizens selected may well be representative of individual organisations but we are not having representation from specific sectors such as the gay and lesbian group or other group. Citizens and public representatives will be involved but those who represent sectors and groups are fully entitled to go before the convention to make their case.

I wish to make two points in answer to Deputy Martin’s question. On whether the convention will be able to work effectively, I hope the first meeting will take well before Christmas. We had intended that the convention would sit by the end of September but to be honest with Deputy Martin, it is important to get a person to chair the convention who understands its range and remit. I hope we can do that reasonably quickly.

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