Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the consultants he has held with political parties and non-governmental organisation regarding proposals for forthcoming referenda on constitutional amendments. [24417/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the proposal to hold a Constitutional Referendum on judicial remuneration is a commitment in the Programme for Government. In keeping with that undertaking, the Government approved the Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011 and it was published on 4 August 2011. Its publication well ahead of the scheduled debates was with a view to providing adequate opportunity for persons to consider the amendment in advance of its process through the Oireachtas.

On 5 September 2011 I wrote to all members of the Oireachtas briefing them on the objectives of the Bill. I also included a copy of the draft Implementation Bill outlining the legislative provisions which would be introduced by the Government if the proposed Referendum is approved by the People, together with an information sheet setting out the financial ramifications of the proposed amendments. Finally, all members of the Oireachtas were invited to make contact with my office if they had any queries in relation to the Bill. I should add that following publication of the Bill, my office contacted the Opposition spokespersons directly to advise that a briefing on the Bill would be arranged should they wish to avail of it. This initial contact was followed up by telephone by my officials. However, in the event this offer was not taken up.