Second Republic, the movement for a National Convention on reform, welcomes Eamon Gilmore’s statement pledging his party’s support to the hosting of a constitutional convention. In the statement, made on this afternoon’s News at One on RTÉ Radio One, Mr Gilmore said his party’s commitment would be confirmed in a policy document to be released this Thursday.
Particularly welcoming about this move is the Labour Party’s recognition of the democratic imperative of the people of Ireland in determining what political reforms there should be. Mr Gilmore confirmed that the convention that his party would support would involve participation by the public. Crucially, the question of reform is one that needs to be handled by a body that is independent of the Oireachtas, though Mr Gilmore did not say so.
Despite these positives, Second Republic was sorry to hear the Labour Party leader seemingly toe the Fine Gael line in placing limits on the role of a Citizen’s Assembly. Fine Gael, in their policy document, “New Politics”, only envision a Citizens’ Assembly as having the right “to consider what changes should be made to Ireland’s political and government system over and above the specific changes that Fine Gael proposes to make”. The Labour Party, it would seem, echo the Fine Gael line in agreeing to limit a convention to only those areas where the Labour Party, and its presumptive coalition partner, does not already have a policy.
By insisting that Labour Party policy with respect to reform of the Seanad would be pushed through regardless of the outcome of a constitutional convention, Mr Gilmore speaks out of both sides of this mouth. No-one can honestly acknowledge the right of the people of Ireland to determine what reforms are necessary while, in the same breath, saying he will push his own vision of reform through no matter what.
Second Republic is similarly disappointed to hear the Labour Party leader also apparently echo Fine Gael policy by not giving such a convection the true teeth it deserves. Fine Gael’s policy is that such a convention would only “consider” reform without any means to ensure that its proposals are put to a referendum. Mr Gilmore was mute on this question, apparently acquiescing to the Fine Gael line.
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Second Republic is a movement of people organised nationally around the core aim of seeing a National Convention on reform. Its foundational values are that reform must be directed and owned by the people, give a sense of a new beginning and address the failings that underlie the current crisis.
Second Republic will send pledge packs to every candidate running in the forthcoming election asking each candidate for personal a commitment to the hosting of a National Convention on reform. That convention will be independent of the Oireachtas, involve substantial participation by the public as well as submissions from interest groups and will be open-ended in its remit. Crucially, its proposals will be binding on the Oireachtas to put to a referendum.
Website: www.2nd-republic.ie
Email: info@2nd-republic.ie
Contact: Oliver Moran (087 965 8549)
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