Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I suppose there will be a referendum on the Government on 23 May, on the Fine Gael Party and on the Labour Party's participation in the Government. People will make a judgment on the past three years.

The Taoiseach referred to a number of important promised referendums, including one on same-sex marriage and a second on the family law court. Some weeks ago, the House extended the remit of the Constitutional Convention until 31 March. I note the convention has examined a number of other important issues, including the possibility of reducing the presidential term to five years, and has reviewed the electoral system for the Dáil and constitutional provisions such as those relating to the offence of blasphemy. Is it the Taoiseach's intention that the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention will be dealt with not later than 2015?

The Taoiseach will recall the ill-fated referendum on the abolition of Seanad Éireann, on which he and I strongly agreed, and a second referendum on an important legal matter. Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne was the chairperson of the relevant Referendum Commission. At that time, a view was expressed that the commission had not been given sufficient time and it was proposed to place it on a permanent footing. A Referendum Commission with a permanent function would be able to make adequate preparations in respect of all important revisions to the Constitution and other important developments, including the referendum on same-sex marriage, before giving citizens an opportunity to make their decision.

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