Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a continuing uncertainty around what the UK Government actually wants and stands for. That does not help anybody, especially not those of us who are the UK's near neighbours. I was hoping Senator Gavan would launch into a tune or two but he did not. I am not sure whether it is the case that he is afraid that it is coming home. The Government will continue to work with our European partners on the issue of Brexit to get the best deal for us, as the Senators all know. I would be happy to have a debate on Brexit before the summer recess if we can. I know that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and the Taoiseach have been very involved in discussions and in communicating with our UK counterparts over the last 48 hours.

Senator Gavan also raised the issue of women's place in the home. As a former member of the Constitutional Convention, I remind the House that the Government is not obliged to take the convention's advice. Making that decision is a matter for the Government. The Government has made a decision to delete Article 41(2) of the Constitution, or at least to propose that deletion to the Irish people in the hope that they will acquiesce. I know Senator Gavan agrees with that but the Government believes it should not seek to confine the place of women in the Constitution. It also believes, as the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, said, that men and women should live the lives they choose. I know that Orla O'Connor of the National Women's Council of Ireland welcomed the referendum. I hope the referendum can take place. As part of what the Senator has said, what needs to happen is an informed debate as to what we are campaigning to abolish, and why, in order to educate people on the reasons for the change. I hope we will see the Citizens' Assembly and the Constitutional Convention continue to do their work. I am a big advocate of that.

Senators Bacik, Craughwell, Norris, Conway, Feighan and McDowell all referenced the announcement by an tUachtarán, Michael D. Higgins, that he intends to nominate himself to run as an Independent candidate for the presidency when his term of office expires in the autumn. I wish all who seek the office well. It is my belief not as Leader, but as an individual Member of the House, that there should be a contest. It would be healthy for our democracy, notwithstanding the fact that I believe Michael D. Higgins will win the presidency given the level of support he enjoys. I do believe we should have a contest however. As Senator McDowell said, there is an avenue open to all people who seek a nomination to do so by gaining the support of four county councils or 20 Members of the Oireachtas. It is not about the elite of the elite. There is an avenue prescribed under the Constitution. If Members want to change the Constitution, they should put forward a constitutional amendment.