Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
317. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the recent traumatic events in France and the recommendation of the Constitutional Convention, the plans the Government has to hold a referendum to exclude blasphemy from the Constitution Article 40.6.1.1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3864/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Minister, Department of Justice and Equality; Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)The Deputy will be aware that the Government agreed last September to hold a referendum on removing the offence of blasphemy contained in Article 40.6.1.1 of the Constitution, in response to the 6th Report of the Convention on the Constitution.
The work necessary to prepare a Referendum Bill and a Bill to amend the current legislative provision for the offence of blasphemy is ongoing in my Department.
An appropriate date for the Referendum will be decided by Government when the legislation has been prepared. Earlier this month, the Taoiseach confirmed in the Dáil that the blasphemy referendum will not be held this year, as two referenda are already scheduled for this year.
In the meantime, my officials and I are working on preparing the necessary legislation which is included in the Government Legislative Programme for 2015, as announced on 14 January.
The Government has published the 31st Amendment of the Constitution Bill, which sets out the wording to put to the people in the Children’s Referendum on Saturday, 10th November.
Ahead of the Referendum, the Government is mounting a major Information Campaign to outline and explain the proposed constitutional changes, to ensure that the public fully understands the proposed Amendment.
A dedicated new website www.childrensreferendum.ie provides information on the referendum. If you work for an organisation, we ask you to promote this website by posting the link and the attached image on your organisation’s website.
This Referendum proposes to place a dedicated Article in the Constitution, which has children as its central focus.
This Referendum is about strengthening the Constitution:
- to protect children from abuse and neglect by putting their safety and welfare at the centre of decision making.
- to support families; State intervention will be required to be proportionate, in line with the Government’s policy of continuing development of early-intervention and family support services to protect children in their home.
- to treat all children equally on key issues such as adoption, regardless of the marital status of their parents.
- to recognise children in their own right by providing an express statement of each individual child’s inherent rights and giving Constitutional recognition to the best interests and views of the child, in court cases affecting their life.
Your co-operation in promoting www.childrensreferendum.ie and the logo is much appreciated. You can also follow us on Twitter at @childref12
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