Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many of the questions or recommendations from the Constitutional Convention were ones we would have difficulty with in terms of the issues or the lack of depth of what was proposed. We would not necessarily say we would follow through on every recommendation the Constitutional Convention made on referendums or that they should automatically be referred to the people on the basis that they were recommended by the convention. While the last Constitutional Convention held informative debate and produced thoughtful recommendations, it was hamstrung from the beginning. It covered a significant range of issues rather than being focused on one major topic such as political reform. It jumped from issue to issue. It also suffered from the fact that its agenda was, in some instances, set to delay the then Government from having to take a stand on a number of issues. The rejection by the people of the proposal on the minimum age for candidates for the presidency showed what happens when marginal issues are elevated over more urgent ones. We need a more comprehensive approach to holding referendums and the Oireachtas should be centrally involved in that process.

I take the Taoiseach's point that one cannot have four or five referendums in one day. I would never have subscribed to that idea because most referendums are about weighty subjects that demand much consideration in advance, as we have learnt from Brexit. The point is that we should, as an Oireachtas, either agree on a number during the lifetime of a particular Oireachtas or whether, at least, there are issues that we can get consensus on. There are some hanging around since a previous Oireachtas committee, for example, regarding reform of the Constitution, and some from the Constitutional Convention that might have merit. It might be worth considering whether the Oireachtas can agree to hold one or two a year over the coming years.

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