Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In September 2017 the Government decided on an indicative timetable for a number of referendums to be held in 2018 and 2019. Under this timetable, and subject to passage of the necessary Bills by the Houses of the Oireachtas and formal confirmation of the polling date, it is proposed to hold referendums in October 2018 on the offence of blasphemy - Article 40.6.1°.i - and on a woman's life within the home - Article 41.2. These referendums were the subject of recommendations made by the Constitutional Convention and are included in A Programme for a Partnership Government.

I am fully committed to ensuring that we adhere to the timetable agreed by Government. The necessary preparatory work within my Department in conjunction with colleagues in other Departments and the Office of the Attorney General is now drawing to a close.

Deputy Eamon Ryan specifically mentioned blasphemy. I wish to inform him that work on such a referendum has involved consideration of the legal issues which exist in respect of the nature of the question which should be put to the people.

The issue of the provision on a woman's life within the home is being examined by my Department in collaboration with other relevant Departments and the Office of the Attorney General with a view to determining the best legal approach as regards the question to be put to the people.

More generally, funding arrangements have been put in place within my Department and contact has been maintained both with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Office of the Ombudsman, both of which will have key roles to play in relation to the referendum process.

It is my intention to seek Government approval in the near future on the approaches to be followed in respect of both referendum proposals. Securing such approval will facilitate the publication of the relevant amendment Bills before the start of the summer recess. This will ensure that a referendum commission can be established in a timely manner and will ensure that the commission will have adequate time within which to begin its preparatory work.

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