Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Perhaps that would be the case. As long as it is random in nature, I would not have a difficulty with it reflecting the proportionate arrangements relating to the parties and the groupings in the Houses.

As a result of the nature of the process of random selection, the people who will serve on the convention will have varying degrees of expertise with regard to the complex issues they will be obliged to consider. Many Senators have referred to gay marriage as being an issue of equality. I am on the record as stating that I do not see any connection between gay marriage and equality. It is up to those who articulate the point of view to which I refer to support their arguments in favour of the matter being one of equality. I am sure everyone in the House would recognise that once marriage is redefined as an adult-centred institution as opposed to its current, historical and traditional status as a child-centred one, there will be implications for children and for society in general. I ask the Minister to ensure that where the convention considers complex issues which have serious implications for society, proper, independent, impartial and socio-scientific research that would inform the members of the convention in their deliberations be carried out in the first instance. Will the Minister let us know whether the convention will be empowered to arrange its own independent scientific research on complex issues?