Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 191: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consultations that he has held with political parties and non-governmental organisations regarding proposals for forthcoming referenda on constitutional amendments. [24417/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In relation to the upcoming referendum to amend the Constitution to enable the Houses of the Oireachtas to undertake full inquiries I have always made it clear that it is my intention to facilitate a comprehensive discussion and an informed debate on the issues involved in the constitutional amendment. In a letter of 27 July, I circulated a copy of the draft wording for the proposed Constitutional amendment to the Opposition Spokespersons on Public Expenditure and Reform, all Party Whips, the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann and the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann.

At the time I indicated that the final proposed wording for the Constitutional amendment would be the subject of further discussions and agreement with the Attorney General. Copies of the final wording of the proposed constitutional amendment, as contained in the Referendum Bill, were circulated to the Opposition Spokespersons on Public Expenditure and Reform, the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann and the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann in advance of its publication on 12 September 2011.

Before the Bill was debated in the Dáil and Seanad, briefing sessions by officials from my Department were held with representatives of Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and the Technical Group. I also met with the Joint Oireachtas Investigations, Oversight and Petitions Committee on 13 September to brief them on the proposed future role of the Committee.