Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Taoiseach 100% on the value of both the Constitutional Convention and the Citizens' Assembly. Originally it was former Deputy Eamon Gilmore's idea. Even within the Labour Party, he had some convincing to do on the idea that another forum would have merit.

However, the model has proven its worth. One of its values is that it depoliticises an issue for a while. In other words, when something is introduced here, no matter by whom, Members take an immediate position without exhaustively teasing out all sides and complexities of the issue. There is a role for the Citizens' Assembly on the school patronage issue which is significant for many right now who want choice in the education they provide for their children. The Citizens' Assembly model would be a very good way to have that debate and to allow all sides to have an input and be tested in an open way. Will the Taoiseach consider adding school patronage to the list of issues of urgent issues to which he has referred, including the gender pay gap and gender issues generally, for consideration by a new Citizens' Assembly?

See this speech in context