Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a need for comprehensive constitutional reform, as we all know. The Constitutional Convention worked. I attended many of its meetings and my only criticism is of the Government's refusal to implement the recommendations the Constitutional Convention made on many issues. I also do not understand why the Taoiseach has changed the format and decided to exclude politicians from participation. It was a useful experience and the proceedings were not dominated by any politician. The people who attended were delighted to be asked to go. They briefed themselves and were well informed on the issues they were dealing with. I do not understand why the Taoiseach would change something which worked. He should spend his time implementing the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention rather than experimenting with some other version of this.

Sinn Féin is very clear that the eighth amendment must go. Sin é. It is up to the people to decide. They must be the arbitrators on the issue and that requires a referendum. We will all be bound by the outcome of the referendum. Perhaps our position will not be supported by the majority of citizens. The only question is when the Taoiseach will have the referendum and give the people their say.

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