Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Arnold to the Chamber and I commend the work of the Constitutional Convention. It was a breath of fresh air for the democratic process. It has been such a success that there should be another convention with an extended remit to consider the myriad of constitutional matters that require consideration and reform. I was privileged to have attended some of the meetings and in years to come I will look back at a historic shift in the deliberative democratic process that started with the convention. I will be proud that I was part of it.

What struck me about the proceedings was the respectful way convention members - citizens and elected representatives - engaged with each other. Concerns regarding a vast range of issues were listened to and discussed. In many instances, real anxieties were dispelled and put to rest. The convention was successful because of the professional, calm and efficient way in which the work was carried out. I lend my support and thanks to the secretariat that undertook this work in an innovative way. The engagement of citizen members and political leaders under the chairmanship of Mr. Arnold contributed to the efficient work and everyone acknowledges that the balance of speakers and presentations and the time allocated for each aspect of the topic ensured a wide spectrum of views were heard.

The Government is responding to each of the recommendations within three months but the next step is to follow through on actions. As chairman of this historical and important group, how does Mr. Arnold feel about the action following the recommendations? Are the actions moving quickly enough? With regard to recommendations on the clause on the role of women, the greater participation by women in public life and the increase in the participation of women in politics, the Minister for Justice and Equality has established a task force to investigate the issues further with the response expected by October 2014. That is included in the annexe. Is there a need for another expert group to consider the matter given that much work has been done on these issues? What is Mr. Arnold's opinion on that, especially in terms of the convention's work on thrashing out previous reports on the issue and expert opinion? Is there a need for this task force report?

Given the breath of issues that arose during the Constitutional Convention, the vast array of subjects listed in the section on any other amendments and the powerful lobbying by citizens, NGOs and groups across the island and abroad, does Mr. Arnold think a fresh mandate is required for the convention? As part of that, will Mr. Arnold have talks with the Taoiseach on how he feels any new convention may be shaped or managed and on the terms of reference required for it?