Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Of course they did not raise it with Deputy Martin. That is precisely the reason to have a constitutional convention; to make recommendations to put issues to the people. The Government can agree to have a referendum on a certain issue and we will give a response within four months.

As to why one needs a Presidency, I support the concept of the Office of the Presidency. President Higgins is in South America at the moment on a visit allied to trade issues. Such visits are important given that that Continent will explode economically in the next 20 years and it is important for this country to be involved.

It is perfectly open to the convention to say it regards the selection process for presidential candidates as one it should examine. I have already set that out in the terms of reference. If the constitutional convention and its chairperson decides it will examine the matter then the convention has freedom to do so and to make its recommendation.

The issue of inequality, the rich and the poor, taxation thereof or otherwise, are matters for Government and the budgetary process and will take up a great deal of the Government's time as we prepare for budget 2013. That is the story in so far as there are opportunities for the convention to look at areas that are not specifically mentioned. I refer to those first issues on which we wanted to reflect.

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