The Government’s plans for a constitutional convention have been criticised as containing “manifest flaws” by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
In a detailed submission to the Government which was sent to all TDs and Senators, the human rights watchdog expresses concern about the convention’s make-up and list of topics for consideration.
The Government has initially proposed that the convention will comprise 100 participants, with 33 of these positions taken by “Oireachtas members and one parliamentarian from each of the political parties in Northern Ireland which accept an invitation to be represented”.
The Oireachtas membership would be selected on the basis of “parliamentary numbers”.
In addition, 66 members of the public would be selected from the electoral register, with a polling company engaged to ensure a representative sample. A chairperson would bring the total to 100 members.
The council says the allocation of places on the basis of parliamentary numbers is “at best unnecessary and, at worst, could be characterised as an attempt to retain control of the convention by the parties in Government”. The campaign group also questions the level of support to be given to the 66 members of the public who participate in the convention.
