Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that the real republic is not static. That is why the issues mentioned in the earlier part of the reply, concerning Questions Nos. 3 and 5, and looking forward also to Question No. 8, refer to the start of a process by which the constitutional convention can decide there are much more compelling matters from its perspective that need to be reflected upon and recommendations made. It is fully entitled to do that.

There are also the questions on the referendums on child protection and the abolition of the Seanad. The first will go ahead on 10 November and is an important referendum, being a statement about the value of our children. That was decided upon and it was agreed it would not be part of the remit of the constitutional convention. Neither is the question of the abolition of the Seanad, which will be put to the people and whose fate will be in their hands.

I can tell the Deputy that a polling company was engaged, has done its work and has identified 66 citizens. Their names and their acceptance will be ratified by the chairperson of the convention. All is ready to go except the identification of an appointee who will do a first-class job in that regard. As I noted to Deputy Martin, I hope this can be up and running before Christmas. I had thought we might get it under way by the end of September. We are now in the second week in October so it is not far beyond the date intended. All the backup work has been done. When we identify a suitable chairperson I will inform the leaders of the other parties and get it under way.

The first meeting will be held in Dublin and thereafter the chairperson can decide where meetings should be held. Costs will be kept to a minimum. The moneys voted for this come through the Department of the Taoiseach and have already been identified.

See this speech in context