Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to address a couple of issues that have arisen during the debate. Deputies have expressed concern about how the citizens’ assembly will work. We have also heard a great deal of praise for the Constitutional Convention, which worked well in certain areas. I understand that the recommendations it made in certain areas are still outstanding. This new assembly will not impede that process, which is continuing. The recommendations made by the Constitutional Convention can still be dealt with by the Government. This proposal does not affect that. It will not change that. The process that was used for the Constitutional Convention worked. I would say it helped to bring about the successful passing of the marriage referendum. I think most people would agree with that. I think it contributed to that process. It certainly enabled the referendum to happen in the first place. This kind of process has worked in the past. A similar approach is being taken on this occasion, although no politicians will be included in the citizens’ assembly. We talk enough in here. The assembly will involve a similar approach. The same method will be used to choose members. I know people have concerns about which part of the electorate will be used, or about who is or is not a citizen. The same process was used previously. It worked quite well and quite effectively. We are recommending that it should be used again here. That is what we are trying to do. I hope we are clear on that.

Deputies have questioned whether the timeframe is appropriate. Quite a tight timeframe is being set out here. It is hoped to have the motion we are discussing tonight passed through both Houses this week. It is hoped that the citizens' assembly will be up and running by October. Thereafter, it will have 12 months to report. As I said at the outset, 12 months is the maximum timeframe it is being given to report on the four issues that are mentioned in the motion I have proposed tonight. Other issues might be added to its remit during the process. As the Minister of State, Deputy Regina Doherty, said, there is nothing in what we are proposing that precludes the assembly from coming back with reports on individual items as they are ready. It does not have to be 12 months. The reference in this motion to "one year" does not mean it will take 12 months. That is not what is envisaged. That is not the reason for the reference to "one year". If I remember correctly, reports on various elements came back from the Constitutional Convention after being discussed as they were ready. It is not a case of kicking everything down the Swanee as well. That is not what we are trying to do.

The 99 citizen members will be selected on the basis of their entitlement to vote in referendums. They will be selected so as to be broadly representative of Irish society. If the citizens' assembly is going to make recommendations for changes in the Constitution, it makes sense that its members should be drawn from the electorate that is entitled to vote in referendums. I take Deputy Bríd Smith's point that some people might not put their names on the electoral register until after the assembly has completed its work. While I accept that, I remind her that we used the same formula to choose the participants in the Constitutional Convention. People registered thereafter as well. That did not cause a great difficulty. I think the Deputy was happy with the result in that case. I do not think her concern in this regard will be borne out. We have to make a recommendation and go with it. Regardless of what method we choose, someone will have an issue with it. I think the method we have chosen will cover what we are seeking to do. I should also mention that 90,000 people from all over the world have received Irish citizenship in Irish citizenship ceremonies in the past five years. I expect that this development will be reflected in the electorate that votes in referendums as well. One would hope that all citizens would register to vote. I think I have dealt with that concern as well as I possibly can.

I will try to deal with the Sinn Féin amendment before we run out of time. The amendment proposes that four items should be added to the agenda of the citizens’ assembly. This would seriously add to its work. I do not think it would be realistic to give the assembly these additional responsibilities without extending its timeframe, which might cause delays in dealing with some of the issues the assembly is being asked to consider. As regards the items suggested, the last Government carried out a significant programme of reform. It provided for a radical reform of the Freedom of Information Acts, banned corporate donations and introduced the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. It carried out a significant programme of Dáil reform and commissioned a report on Seanad reform. Of course, the current Dáil has made extensive changes in the way the Dáil operates. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, the last Government implemented a number of significant recommendations made by the Constitutional Convention and held two referendums in that context. The current programme for Government commits the Government to holding three more such referendums.

Northern Ireland remains a key priority for this Government, for example in dealing with the consequences of the result of the UK referendum on EU membership. It will be important to make the best possible use of the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement to ensure we continue to preserve the benefits of the peace process in the North in this changed context. At the North-South Ministerial Council plenary summit in Dublin Castle on 4 July last, it was agreed to work together to ensure Northern Ireland's interests are protected and the importance of North-South co-operation is fully recognised in any new arrangements which emerge from negotiations. Ten specific actions were agreed to optimise North-South joint planning and engagement on key issues arising from the UK referendum result. This will include a full audit of key North-South work programmes to establish risks and likely impacts arising from the UK's planned withdrawal from the EU. The British-Irish Council will play an important role in light of the referendum result. When the Taoiseach attends a meeting of the council in Cardiff on 22 July next, he will meet representatives of all the devolved administrations in the UK to discuss the implications of the referendum result throughout these islands. The Government believes there is a need for the widest possible conversation on the implications of the referendum result for Ireland, both North and South, and for North-South relations. It will continue to explore options to achieve this in a way that is not divisive.

As I said earlier, the proposed composition of the citizens’ assembly is aimed at reflecting the views of citizens who are entitled to vote in referendums. I reiterate that the electorate will decide the outcome of any referendum that emerges from the recommendations of the assembly, which will be able to invite and accept submissions from interested parties. Members of the Oireachtas will have an opportunity to make their views known when the reports from the citizens’ assembly come before the Houses. The assembly's report on the eighth amendment will first be considered by an Oireachtas committee before being debated by the full House. The Sinn Féin amendment would impose a two month limit on the assembly's deliberations on the eighth amendment and further limits on the consideration by this House of the assembly’s report on that issue. I would be concerned that this would be too short. The assembly will deal with the eighth amendment as its first item, which makes sense. That report can be brought back here well in advance of the 12 month timeline. I hope the Sinn Féin Deputies will understand and accept the reasons we cannot accept the amendment they have proposed. The House will deal with the other amendments after this one has been disposed of.

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