Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, the cost implications are one thing. I agree that there should be a process to set out the structure, strategy and timing for a referendum.

The convention made many recommendations to the Government. The Government did not accept all of them. However, we are waiting for the report of the Citizens' Assembly on the eighth amendment. This should be made before the end of June. The Government has not discussed whether a referendum or referenda should be held this year, or, if so, which referenda should be held.

A comment was made on voting by emigrants living abroad. This issue has been around for a long time. Philadelphia was a place many Irish emigrated to directly after the famine and in the years since then. This issue has always been raised with the diaspora. It might not be of interest to those who are registered here. However, I will use the example of the Brexit referendum in Britain. While 5.5 million people were entitled and registered to vote as expatriates, only 26,000 took up that option.

It may not be of great importance in other countries but, in terms of Irish emigrants and the Irish diaspora, when the issues are dealt with here, I believe there will be a good response. We must define a new electoral register and the conditions and criteria for those who will apply, which will be done by 2025. I agree with and will try to get an analysis for Deputy Micheál Martin of the range involved. I also agree that, in respect of any decision made by the Government on a referendum, a process should be set out which is clear for everyone to discuss.

In respect of the eighth report referred to by Deputy Boyd Barrett, the programme for Government says the following:

The eighth report of the Constitutional Convention on economic, social and cultural rights recommended that the State progressively realise economic, social and cultural rights subject to maximum available resources, that this duty be recognisable by the courts, and that specific additional rights on housing be inserted into the Constitution. Due to the substantial questions raised on the balance of rights, proper governance and resources, we will refer this report to the new Oireachtas Committee on Housing for consideration.

Obviously, it will have to consider more than housing. It must also deal with social and cultural rights. Inserting such provisions into the Constitution and making them recognisable by the courts would clearly raise very substantial questions and that is an issue on which we must deliberate here.

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