Dáil debates

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Ceisteanna - Questions

Citizens Assembly

3:25 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

Substantial progress has been made on establishing the Citizens Assembly and its inaugural meeting will be held in Dublin Castle on 15 October next. Resolutions approving establishment of the assembly were passed in the Dáil and Seanad in July and Ms Justice Mary Laffoy was appointed chairperson. Tenders were then issued for the necessary services to support the assembly, in particular for a polling company to select the 99 citizen members who will, with the chairperson, make up the assembly. In addition, accommodation for the meetings of the assembly after its first meeting and services such as translation, live streaming and media support, have been secured.

The assembly's inaugural meeting will be an introductory session to allow the members of the assembly the opportunity to meet the chairperson and one another and to gain a better understanding of the context for the work that they will be undertaking. The assembly will meet again in late November, at which time it will commence its consideration of the first item referred to it by the Dáil resolution, that is, the eighth amendment of the Constitution.

I am sure that the House will join me in wishing Ms Justice Laffoy and the assembly well with their work.

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