Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to be able to speak on this issue. I wish to refer to my amendment, although I may not move it yet. The idea of a citizens’ assembly that will be convened to remove the right to life from the Constitution, among other purposes, is utterly bizarre. A constitution ought to reflect and embody the finest principles of a nation. How does the idea of removing the eighth amendment achieve this?

We need absolute guarantees that, if the assembly proceeds, it will not be a politically choreographed charade with a predetermined outcome. Reference was made to the Constitutional Convention and its chairman. Deputies Maureen O’Sullivan and Catherine Murphy were members of the convention. I was a substitute but I never saw inside the door at any stage. I am not saying the members did not turn up at all times. I, for one, never got to debate or discuss anything.

The Dáil is the legitimate citizens’ assembly. The idea of convening another undermines the legitimacy of the Oireachtas. We had our election recently. It took long enough to form a Government afterwards but the people have spoken. Some Deputies have referred to the issue of the eighth amendment as the most important human rights issue of our time. The MRBI poll in May had it down as No. 13 among matters of concern to people. It was certainly not an issue for my electorate. I canvassed from July until the day before the election. Perhaps I had a handful of e-mails but constituents certainly did not raise the matter on the doorsteps.

There are serious concerns. Many people have indicated in this House that the proposed assembly is a mere ruse to kick an issue down the road. I believe this Parliament should have the power to make decisions. If the Government wants the people to speak, let them speak in a fair and open referendum. Let people speak without fear or favour. It is in this vein that I tabled my amendment, namely, that each member of the citizens’ assembly must declare membership of or affiliation to any organisation or group that has campaigned for the retention or repeal of the eighth amendment. We need to have a true and transparent process to choose the members of the assembly. This is important. In the new Dáil, there are certain Deputies with only two objectives, as is their right. One is to repeal the eighth amendment and the other is not to pay for water. These seem to be two issues of core principle for some. The right to life is vital. If the eighth amendment is repealed, what will be put in its place? Nobody has addressed that.

See this speech in context