The process of selecting members of the citizens' assembly to make recommendations on a possible abortion referendum and other constitutional and political issues is to begin immediately.
The Government has confirmed that the citizens' assembly, which will first debate whether a referendum to relax Ireland's strict anti-abortion laws is necessary, is on course to begin its deliberations in October. Government Buildings has also confirmed that it has selected the polling company Red C to pick the participants in the assembly.
A demographically and geographically representative group of 99 citizens will be selected by Red C over the coming weeks and the first session, chaired by Supreme Court judge Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, is scheduled to take place in the Dublin area in October. It is expected to meet for one weekend every month.
Questioned
Potential participants will not be questioned about their views on abortion but will be selected as a random, representative sample of the population. Participants will not be paid for their time.
The assembly is to be run under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach and will also debate a number of other issues. The Dáil resolution passed in July specified the assembly should debate and report on the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population; fixed-term parliaments; the manner in which referendums are held; and how Ireland can become a leader in tackling climate change.
Recommendation
However, it will first be required to discuss and report to the Dáil on its views on the future of the Eighth Amendment. Its recommendation will then be considered by an Oireachtas committee, before a decision on any referendum is made by the Dáil.
With campaigners for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment stepping up their efforts to force a referendum, the Government hopes that the establishment of the citizens’ assembly in the autumn will take the political heat out of the issue. However, with pro-life campaigners also gearing up to support the Eighth Amendment, the issue looks set to stay high on the political agenda for the autumn.
Campaigners on both sides have dismissed the assembly as a political fudge, designed to long-finger the contentious issue. However, senior Government figures say it is an attempt to ensure the “middle ground” on abortion is heard.
