Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Taoiseach the timeframe for the debate of the remaining Constitutional Convention reports; and the timeframe for actions arising from reports already debated. [38070/14]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Convention produced nine reports in total, all of which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

In response to the recommendations in reports of the Convention on the Constitution, the Government has already announced that it will bring forward proposals in 2015 for referendums on same-sex marriage, reducing the voting age to 16 and reducing the age of candidacy for Presidential elections to 21. In addition, the Government has announced it will bring forward proposals for a referendum on removal from the Constitution of the offence of blasphemy but no date has been decided as yet.

In addition, the Government decided to refer to the relevant Oireachtas Committee the question of a constitutional amendment to give citizens a say in the nomination process for Presidential candidates. The Government has also undertaken to look at making Article 41.2 of the Constitution on the role of women gender-neutral, and at including other carers both in and beyond the home. It has also undertaken to look at amending the Constitution to include the principle of gender equality, as well as the use of gender-inclusive language in the Constitution. Arising from the Fourth Report, the Government has agreed that work should commence on the establishment of an Electoral Commission. This was a central recommendation of that report.

Work is ongoing in relation to the remainder of the reports, which as the House will be aware, deal with such matters as giving citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in Presidential elections; Dáil reform; economic, social and cultural rights and the Convention’s conclusions and final recommendations.The Government expects to respond to all of them before the end of the current Dáil session.