Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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68. To ask the Taoiseach the Minister responsible for setting up the citizens' assembly relating to the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution; how representatives and members of the assembly will be selected; when this process will begin, if it will be given a definitive time frame to conclude its deliberations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10164/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, in the Programme for a Partnership Government the Government has committed to establishing a Citizens’ Assembly, within six months and without participation by politicians, with a mandate to look at a limited number of key issues over an extended time period. These issues will not be limited to those directly pertaining to the Constitution and may include issues such as, for example how we, as a nation, best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population.

The Government will ask the Citizens’ Assembly to make recommendations to the Dáil on further constitutional changes, including on the Eighth Amendment, on fixed term parliaments and on the manner in which referenda are held (e.g. should ‘super referendum days’, whereby a significant number of referenda take place on the same day, be held).

Allocation of ministerial responsibility for the Citizens' Assembly will be determined shortly. Once this has occurred, the arrangements relating to the selection of members, time frames etc will be considered.