Citizens' Assembly (Ireland)#Eighth Amendment

{{see also|Constitutional Convention (Ireland)}}

The Citizens' Assembly was a successor to the 2012–14 Constitutional Convention, which was established by the Oireachtas in accordance with the government programme agreed by the Fine Gael–Labour coalition formed after the 2011 general election. Convention members were a chairperson nominated by the government, 33 representatives chosen by political parties, and 66 randomly chosen citizens. Meeting over 15 months, it considered seven constitutional issues previously specified by the Oireachtas and two more of its own choosing.{{cite web|url=https://www.constitution.ie/AttachmentDownload.ashx?mid=55f2ba29-aab8-e311-a7ce-005056a32ee4|format=PDF|title=Ninth Report: Conclusions and final recommendations|date=March 2014|publisher=Convention on the Constitution|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320064150/https://www.constitution.ie/attachmentdownload.ashx?mid=55f2ba29-aab8-e311-a7ce-005056a32ee4|archive-date=20 March 2016|url-status=dead}} It made 18 recommendations for constitutional amendments and 20 for other changes to laws or Oireachtas standing orders; the government accepted some, rejected others, and referred others to committees for further consultation.{{cite web|url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2016051700053?opendocument#WRC01550|title=Written Answers No. 69: Constitutional Convention Recommendations|date=17 May 2015|work=Dáil Éireann Debate|pages=Vol. 909 No. 1 p.53 |no-pp=y|access-date=27 July 2016}} In 2015 Taoiseach Enda Kenny entertained the possibility of a similar body meeting after the next general election, which occurred in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2015060900026?opendocument|title=Constitutional Convention Recommendations (Continued)|last=Kenny|first=Enda|date=9 June 2015|work=Dáil Éireann debates|access-date=27 November 2015|quote=While there was unanimous support for a second convention in the [Convention's final] report, it was acknowledged that this is an exercise that can only be achieved once in the lifetime of any Dáil}} In the buildup to the election, various politicians proposed changes to Irish abortion law, including repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which guaranteed a foetal right to life. In November 2015, Kenny promised "a Citizen's Convention on the constitution, or whatever title would be appropriate" to address the issue.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/taoiseach-denies-rift-with-fine-gael-deputy-leader-minister-reilly-over-abortion-referendum-34240255.html|title=Taoiseach denies rift with Fine Gael deputy leader Minister Reilly over abortion referendum |last=Hand|first=Lise|date=27 November 2015|work=Irish Independent|access-date=27 November 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1127/749698-abortion/|title=Kenny would call forum on abortion if re-elected|date=27 November 2015|work=RTÉ News|publisher=RTÉ.ie|access-date=27 November 2015}}

The programme agreed by the Fine Gael–independent minority government formed after the 2016 election included this commitment:{{cite web|url=http://www.merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/ImageLibrary/Programme_for_Partnership_Government.pdf#page=154 |format=PDF|title=A Programme for a Partnership Government|date=11 May 2016|publisher=Government of Ireland|page=153|access-date=1 June 2016 }}

{{Blockquote|text=We will establish a Citizens' Assembly, within six months, and without participation by politicians, and 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. That said, we 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). }}

On 13 July 2016, Damien English moved a resolution in the 32nd Dáil (lower house) approving the "calling of a Citizens' Assembly" to consider the four issues specified in the government programme and "such other matters as may be referred to it".{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2016-07-13a.472|title=Citizens' Assembly: Motion|date=13 July 2016|work=Dáil debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=27 July 2016}} A Green Party amendment was accepted which added "how the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change" to the list of topics. Sinn Féin and AAA–PBP amendments were rejected. An analogous resolution was passed in the 25th Seanad (upper house) on 15 July.{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/sendebates/?id=2016-07-15a.156|title=Citizens' Assembly: Motion|date=15 July 2016|work=Seanad debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=27 July 2016}}

In July 2019 Eoghan Murphy introducing legislation related to the "Dublin Citizens' Assembly" and the "Citizens' Assembly 2019".{{cite web |title=Citizens' Assemblies Bill 2019 — Second Stage |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2019-07-04/12/ |website=Seanad Éireann (25th Seanad) debates |publisher=Oireachtas |access-date=8 July 2019 |language=en-ie |date=4 July 2019}} The Irish Times viewed these as lacking the justification for the original Citizens' Assembly, in that they relate to "purely political issue[s] which TDs are well capable of deciding".

Members of each assembly consist of 99 citizens and the chair for a total of 100 members.

The 99 other members were "citizens entitled to vote at a referendum, randomly selected so as to be broadly representative of Irish society". The representative criteria included gender, age, location, and social class.

For the 66 citizen members of the Constitutional Convention, these 99 plus 99 substitutesDáil debates, 4 October 2016. "these 99 citizens and their 99 substitutes" were selected by an opinion polling company;{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2016-07-19a.172&s=%22polling%20company%22|title=Written answers: Citizens Assembly|date=19 July 2016|work=Dáil debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=27 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2016-06-21a.95|title=Written answers: Citizens Assembly|date=21 June 2016|work=Dáil debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=27 July 2016}} Red C won the tender and began selection at the start of September.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0910/815628-citizens-assembly/|title=More details emerge about Citizens' Assembly – RTÉ News|date=10 September 2016|work=RTÉ.ie|access-date=10 September 2016}} The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2016 was passed to enable the electoral register to be used in this process.{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/sendebates/?id=2016-07-15a.219|title=Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill|date=15 July 2016|work=Seanad debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=27 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2016/act/5/enacted/en/html|title=Electoral (Amendment) Act 2016|date=24 July 2016|work=Irish Statute Book|publisher=Attorney General of Ireland|access-date=10 August 2016}} Media were asked not to photograph the citizen members before the inaugural assembly meeting. Members received expenses but no other payment. Of the original 99 members, 17 withdrew before the first working meeting, whose replacements immediately took over; another 11 withdrew before the final abortion meeting, whose replacements did not participate until the assembly moved on to its next topic for discussion.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/who-exactly-are-the-citizens-in-the-citizens-assembly-1.3059708|title=Who exactly are the citizens in the Citizens' Assembly?|last=Leahy|first=Pat|date=24 April 2017|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=27 April 2017}} Seven replacements joining in January 2018 were removed the following month when it emerged they were recruited via acquaintances of a Red C employee, who was then suspended, rather than via random selection.{{cite news |title=Recruiter for Citizens Assembly suspended after replacement members enlisted through personal contacts and not randomly |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/recruiter-for-citizens-assembly-suspended-after-replacement-members-enlisted-through-personal-contacts-and-not-randomly/36629881.html |date=21 February 2018 |access-date=21 February 2018 |work=Irish Independent |first=Allison |last=Bray}}

The assembly's secretariat was drawn from the civil service.{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2016-07-12a.374|title=Written answers: Citizens Assembly|date=12 July 2016|work=Dáil debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=27 July 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/what-we-do/about-the-secretariat/ |title=About the Secretariat – the Citizens' Assembly |access-date=23 January 2020 |archive-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216160755/https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/what-we-do/about-the-secretariat/ |url-status=dead }} Its office was at 16 Parnell Square in Dublin.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/over-4-500-submissions-on-abortion-made-to-citizens-assembly-1.2907768|title=Over 4,500 submissions on abortion made to Citizens' Assembly|last=Leahy|first=Pat|date=16 December 2016|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=16 December 2016}} In June 2016 the assembly's cost was estimated at €600,000, drawn from the Department of the Taoiseach, with €200,000 in 2016 and the balance in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/committees/?id=2016-06-30a.237&s=800%2C000#g337|title=Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 2 – Department of the Taoiseach (Revised)|author=Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach|date=30 June 2016|work=Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=27 July 2016}} In October 2016 the Taoiseach said €2m had been set aside.Dáil debates, 4 October 2016. "A total of €2 million has been set aside by my own Department for the citizen's assembly." The total cost to March 2019 was €2,355,557, of which €1,535,133 was spent in 2017.{{cite web |title=Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens Assembly |url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2019-03-26a.175 |website=Dáil: Written answers |publisher=kildarestreet.com |access-date=18 June 2019 |date=26 March 2019}}

File:Grand Hotel Malahide - geograph.org.uk - 524134.jpg

The inaugural and introductory assembly meeting was held on 15 October 2016 at Dublin Castle.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1015/824276-citizens-assembly/|title=Citizens' Assembly to discuss Eighth Amendment|date=15 October 2016|work=RTÉ.ie|access-date=15 October 2016}}Dáil debates, 4 October 2016. "The assembly's inaugural meeting will be an introductory session to allow the members of the assembly the opportunity to meet the chairperson and one another and to gain a better understanding of the context for the work that they will be undertaking."{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0921/818096-kenny-media-briefing/|title=Citizens' Assembly's first meeting set for October|date=21 September 2016|work=RTÉ.ie|access-date=21 September 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/citizens-assembly-2989790-Sep2016/|title=The Citizens' Assembly will take place on Saturday 15 October in Dublin Castle|last=Murphy|first=Darragh Peter|date=21 September 2016|work=TheJournal.ie|access-date=5 October 2016}} The Grand Hotel, Malahide won the tender to host later, working, meetings. RTÉ News predicted that there would be ten weekend sessions, each "opened with an address from the Chairperson, followed by expert presentations, Q&A sessions and debate, roundtable discussion and a plenary session." Meetings were livestreamed.{{cite web|url=http://live.citizensassembly.ie/index.html|title=Live Webcast|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=15 October 2016}} Submissions from the public were invited. The assembly was originally supposed to complete its business within a year of its first meeting. This was extended in October 2017 and again in March 2018, to 27 April 2018.

{{cite web |work=Dáil debates |publisher=KildareStreet.com |access-date=22 March 2018 |title=Citizens' Assembly: Motion

|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2017-10-03a.160 |date=3 October 2017 }};

{{cite web |work=Seanad debates |publisher=KildareStreet.com |access-date=22 March 2018 |title=Citizens' Assembly: Motion

|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/sendebates/?id=2017-10-03a.111 |date=3 October 2017 }};

{{cite web |work=Dáil debates |publisher=KildareStreet.com |access-date=22 March 2018 |title=Citizens' Assembly: Motion

|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2018-03-21a.443 |date=21 March 2018}};

{{cite web |work=Seanad debates |publisher=KildareStreet.com |access-date=22 March 2018 |title=Citizens' Assembly: Motion

|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/sendebates/?id=2018-03-21a.139 |date=21 March 2018}};

The government then formally responded to each report. The calendar published in October 2016 included seven three-day working meetings, one in November 2016 and one each month from January to July 2017.

{{see also|Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland}}

The first issue to be considered was the Eighth Amendment, beginning at its first working meeting on 25 November 2016.Dáil debates, 4 October 2016. "The assembly will meet again in late November, at which time it will commence its consideration of the first item referred to it by the Dáil resolution, that is, the eighth amendment of the Constitution."{{cite web|url=http://citizensassembly.ie/en/About-the-Citizens-Assembly/Background/Meetings/Calendar-of-Dates.pdf|title=Meetings: Calendar of Dates|work=Official website|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=14 October 2016}} Enda Kenny in September 2016 estimated it could take "six to seven months" to issue a report, which was referred to an Oireachtas joint committee,Dáil debates, 4 October 2016. "I think we will have a special Oireachtas committee on that." This committee, in turn, produced a report for debate in each house. Resolutions to establish the "Special Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution" were passed on 4 and 13 April 2017 by the Dáil and Seanad respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2017-04-04a.234|title=Establishment of a Special Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Motion|date=4 April 2017|work=Dáil debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=5 April 2017}};

{{cite web |url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2017041300002#N03500 |date=13 April 2017 |access-date=13 April 2017 |work=Seanad debates |publisher=Oireachtas |title=Establishment of Special Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Motion }}

The assembly's inaugural meeting decided that the abortion issue would be the topic for its first four working meetings, a number later increased to five.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Meetings/Fifth-Meeting-of-the-Citizens-Assembly-on-the-Eighth-Amendment-of-the-Constitution.html|title=Fifth Meeting of the Citizens' Assembly on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution|date=23 April 2017|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=23 April 2017}} An advisory group of five experts was appointed: a medical lawyer, two constitutional lawyers, and two obstetricians. The chairperson said she would investigate claims that an assembly member had publicly expressed pro-choice views on Twitter.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/kenny-tells-new-citizens-assembly-of-online-risks-35133786.html|title=Kenny tells new Citizens' Assembly of online risks|last=O'Connor|first=Wayne|date=16 October 2016|work=Sunday Independent|access-date=16 October 2016}} In the Dáil, Mattie McGrath complained that two of the five experts had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the existing abortion provisions.{{cite web|url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2016112200032#EE00450|title=Topical Issue Debate; Citizens Assembly|date=22 November 2016|work=Dáil Éireann debates|publisher=Oireachtas|pages=32–33|access-date=23 November 2016}}

The opposition Anti-Austerity Alliance–People Before Profit (AAA–PBP) scheduled the second stage of a private member's bill repealing the Eighth Amendment for debate in the Dáil on 25 October 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/government-parties-block-abortion-bill-vote-amid-fears-it-would-split-the-government-760947.html|title=Government parties block abortion bill vote amid fears it would split the Government |date=25 October 2016|work=BreakingNews.ie|access-date=25 October 2016}}{{cite journal |url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/op/Oct16/Business/op251016.pdf#page=3 |format=PDF |volume=68 |title=Private Members' Business |quote=22. [...] Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Repeal of the Eighth Amendment) Bill 2016 — Second Stage |date=25 October 2016 |journal=Dáil Éireann Order papers |publisher=Oireachtas |page=1413 |access-date=25 October 2016}} Fine Gael opposed the bill on the grounds that it would pre-empt the Citizens' Assembly discussion. Similarly, independent minister Katherine Zappone said that, in deference to the assembly's work, she would oppose the bill despite herself favouring repeal.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/katherine-zappone-to-vote-against-motion-to-repeal-constitutional-ban-on-abortion-35134272.html|title=Katherine Zappone 'to vote against motion to repeal constitutional ban on abortion'|date=16 October 2016|work=Irish Independent|access-date=16 October 2016}} The Independent Alliance ministers wanted a free vote, which Fine Gael opposed as compromising cabinet collective responsibility. As a compromise, it was agreed that government TDs would oppose the AAA–PBP bill and would not shorten the assembly's timeframe for considering the abortion issue, but that the Oireachtas would expedite the processing of the assembly's report, by establishing the select committee ahead of time and giving it a strict six-month lifespan. Accordingly, Simon Harris, the Minister for Health, moved an amendment to the second-reading motion, that "Dáil Éireann declines to give the Bill a second reading in order that the Citizens' Assembly, established by Resolutions of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, can conclude its deliberations on the Eighth Amendment which is the subject matter of this Bill, and report to the Oireachtas in the first half of 2017".{{cite web |url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2016102700017#S01400 |title=Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Repeal of the Eighth Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] |date=25 October 2016 |work=Dáil debates |pages=17–18 |publisher=Oireachtas |access-date=27 November 2016}}

Over 13,000 submissions were received from the public by the closing date of 16 December 2016. More than 8,000 were submitted electronically, including over 3,200 the final 24 hours.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/citizens-assembly-deluged-with-abortion-submissions-1.2909044|title=Citizens' Assembly deluged with abortion submissions|last=Leahy|first=Pat|date=16 December 2016|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=19 December 2016}} Submissions were uploaded to the assembly website, with "personal stories or sensitive submissions" deidentified.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1222/840774-assembly/|title=Assembly receives more than 13,000 submissions|date=22 December 2016|work=RTÉ.ie|access-date=22 December 2016}} Based on feedback from members, the chairperson selected 17 submitting organisations to make presentations to the assembly. These were announced on 21 February:

Amnesty International Ireland,

Atheist Ireland,

Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment,

Doctors for Choice,

Doctors for Life Ireland,

Every Life Counts,

Family & Life,

Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference,

Irish Family Planning Association,

Parents for Choice,

Pro Life Campaign,

General Synod of the Church of Ireland,

Iona Institute,

National Women's Council of Ireland,

Union of Students in Ireland,

Women Hurt,

Youth Defence.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/News/17-Advocacy-Groups-to-Address-Citizens-Assembly-on-the-Topic-of-Eighth-Amendment.html|title=17 Advocacy Groups to Address Citizens' Assembly on the Topic of Eighth Amendment|date=21 February 2017|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=27 February 2017}}

The final meeting on abortion began on 22 April, with a series of votes held based on the deliberations from the earlier meetings. The first day's votes were on Article 40.3.3°, the subsection of the Constitution added by the Eighth Amendment:{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/citizens-assembly-meet-for-final-time-786692.html|title=Citizens Assembly votes to give power to Oireachtas regarding abortion|date=22 April 2017|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=23 April 2017}}

1. It should not be retained in full (by 79 votes to 12)
2. It should be replaced or amended (50 votes) rather than deleted and not replaced (39 votes)
3. It should allow the Oireachtas to legislate (51 votes) rather than making direct provisions within the Constitution itself (38 votes) regarding "termination of pregnancy, any rights of the unborn, and any rights of the pregnant woman"

The second day's votes were recommendations for the envisaged Oireachtas legislation. There were separate votes on a range of potential circumstances in which abortion might be permitted, possibly restricted to a maximum number of weeks' gestation.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Meetings/Ballot-4-Results-Tables.pdf |title=Fifth Meeting on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Ballot 4B Results|date=23 April 2017|work=Official website|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=23 April 2017}}

Journalist Mary Minihan reported the following week that "the consensus in the Oireachtas is that the assembly's recommendations were an overly-liberal interpretation of the current thinking of middle Ireland on the issue."{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/was-citizens-assembly-best-way-to-deal-with-abortion-question-1.3065226|title=Was Citizens' Assembly best way to deal with abortion question?|last=Minihan|first=Mary|date=29 April 2017|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=1 May 2017}} On 29 June 2017, the assembly's official report was laid before the Oireachtas and published.{{cite press release |url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/News/The-Citizens-Assembly-Publishes-Report-and-Recommendations-on-the-Eighth-Amendment-of-the-Constitution-.html |title=The Citizens' Assembly Publishes Report and Recommendations on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution |date=29 June 2017 |publisher=Citizens' Assembly |access-date=29 June 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newstalk.com/Citizens-Assembly-report-on-Eighth-Amendment-delivered-to-government|title=Citizens' Assembly report on Eighth Amendment delivered to government|last=Staines|first=Michael|date=29 June 2017|work=Newstalk|access-date=29 June 2017|location=Dublin}} On 11 July 2017, the Oireachtas Joint Committee agreed its programme for considering the report, including a presentation from the assembly chairperson at a public session on 20 September 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/committees/eighthamendmentoftheconstitution/Committee-on-the-Eight-Amendment-Final-Work-Plan-as-agreed-at-meeting-on-110717.pdf |title=Consideration of Recommendations of Citizens' Assembly: Agreed Proposals for Committee's Work Plan |author=Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution |publisher=Oireachtas |date=11 July 2017 |access-date=28 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/committeetakes/EAJ2017092000002|title=Engagement with Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, Citizens' Assembly|date=20 September 2017|work=Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution|access-date=21 September 2017}}

Laffoy was joined at the meeting by the two leaders of the assembly secretariat. She told the committee that the assembly had considered all of article 40.3.3, including the 13th and 14th Amendments (rights to travel and to information) as well as the 8th (right to life of the unborn), because they were "inextricabl[y] link[ed]".{{cite web|url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/committees/eighthamendmentoftheconstitution/Opening-Statement-by-Ms-Justice-Laffoy,-Chair,-Citizens-Assembly-20th-Sept-2017.pdf |title=Opening Statement by Ms. Justice Mary Laffoy, Chair Citizens' Assembly‌|date=20 September 2017|work=Eighth Amendment of the Constitution : Presentations|publisher=Oireachtas|access-date=21 September 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2017/0920/906271-eighth-amendment/|title=Laffoy 'keen to see certainty' over Eighth Amendment|date=20 September 2017|work=RTÉ.ie|access-date=21 September 2017}} Rónán Mullen said he found its process "disturbing" and criticised it for not acknowledging that the 8th amendment had "saved thousands of lives".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/citizens-assembly-failed-to-adequately-consider-use-of-abortion-pills-36153807.html|title=Citizens' assembly 'failed to adequately consider use of abortion pills'|last=Murray|first=Shona|date=21 September 2017|work=Irish Independent|access-date=21 September 2017}} Lynn Ruane asked why there was no option to vote for "express positive right to abortion access or to bodily autonomy in pregnancy"; the latter was in the assembly report's ancillary list of issues for the Oireachtas to consider. Laffoy regretted that the assembly had not addressed increased illegal online ordering of abortion pills.

The Oireachtas responded to the report by establishing a Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment, which produced its own report in December 2017, with dissent from pro-life members.{{cite web |title=Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution – 32nd Dáil, 25th Seanad – Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/32/eighth-amendment-constitution/ |publisher=Oireachtas |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=en-ie |date=27 May 2019}}; {{cite web|author1=Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution|title=Report|url=https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/32/joint_committee_on_the_eighth_amendment_of_the_constitution/reports/2017/2017-12-20_report-of-the-joint-committee-on-the-eighth-amendment-of-the-constitution_en.pdf|publisher=Oireachtas|access-date=22 May 2018|no-pp=y|pages=§§2.19–2.24, 2.37–2.40|date=December 2017}} The government decided a month later to implement the committee's report.{{cite web |first=Simon |last=Harris |url=http://health.gov.ie/blog/speeches/speech-by-mr-simon-harris-td-minister-for-health-report-of-the-joint-committee-on-the-eighth-amendment-of-the-constitution-dail-eireann/ |publisher=Department of Health |title=Speech by Mr Simon Harris TD, Minister for Health – Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution – Dáil Éireann |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=20 January 2018 |quote=In 2016, 3,265 Irish women travelled to the UK alone and we know that Irish women travel to other countries like the Netherlands too.}} The Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland, approved by referendum on 25 May 2018, replaced the constitutional prohibition with a provision allowing the Oireachtas to regulate abortion. The Oireachtas duly passed the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to legalise and regulate abortion, up to 12 weeks' gestation for any reason, and up to viability for fatal fetal abnormality or serious health risk to the pregnant woman.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/act/31/enacted/en/html |title=Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 |work=Irish Statute Book |publisher=Attorney-General of Ireland |date=20 December 2018 |access-date=10 January 2019}}; {{cite web |title=Unplanned pregnancy |page=§ Abortion |no-pp=y|url=https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health_services/women_s_health/unplanned_pregnancy.html#l7cc72 |publisher=Citizens Information Board |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=en |date=29 January 2019}}

{{see also|Pensions timebomb}}

The first meetings on "how we best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population" were held on 10–11 June 2017. In May a second weekend, on 8–9 July, was added to the schedule.{{cite press release |url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/News/Citizens-Assembly-will-Meet-for-Additional-Weekend-on-Topic-of-Ageing.html |title=Citizens' Assembly will Meet for Additional Weekend on Topic of Ageing |date=17 May 2017 |publisher=The Citizens' Assembly |access-date=12 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/How-we-best-respond-to-challenges-and-opportunities-of-an-ageing-population/|title=How we best respond to challenges and opportunities of an ageing population|publisher=The Citizens' Assembly|access-date=12 June 2017}} The assembly received 120 submissions from the public. The first meeting's main topics were long-term care and independent living.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/independent-living-on-citizens-assembly-agenda-452124.html|title=Independent living on Citizens' Assembly agenda|last=Ring|first=Evelyn|date=10 June 2017|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=12 June 2017}} It was addressed by Eamon O'Shea, social gerontology professor at NUI Galway;{{cite web|url=http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/eamonoshea/|title=Prof. Eamon O'Shea|work=Our Research|publisher=NUI Galway|access-date=12 June 2017}} Pat Healy, social care director at the Health Service Executive; and Michael Browne of Third Age Ireland and the Citizens Information Board.{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdageireland.ie/sage/people/dr-michael-browne|title=Dr Michael Browne|work=People|publisher=Third Age|access-date=12 June 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/spending-on-elderly-cut-by-third-since-2009-citizens-assembly-hears-1.3115907|title=Spending on elderly cut by third since 2009, Citizens' Assembly hears|last=McGarry|first=Patsy|author-link=Patsy McGarry|date=12 June 2017|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=12 June 2017}} The second meeting focused on pensions and retirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Meetings/Second-Meeting-on-How-We-Best-Respond-to-the-Challenges-and-Opportunities-of-an-Ageing-Population.html|title=Second Meeting on How We Best Respond to the Challenges and Opportunities of an Ageing Population|date=9 July 2017|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=10 July 2017}} Votes were taken on 16 questions: 11 yes/no questions and 5 multiple-choice.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Meetings/Composite-Results-Table.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101091700/https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/meetings/composite-results-table.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2020|title=Composite Results Table|date=9 July 2017|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=10 July 2017}}

Assembly members could distribute votes among multiple answers to the multiple-choice questions except question 2.

;{{anchor|ageingq2}}Question 2: In general, who should be principally responsible for providing required care for older people?

1. Person or family, totally: 1
2. Person or family, mainly : 47
3. State, mainly: 25
4. State, totally: 5This value is missing from the source document but can be back-calculated from the other values.

;{{anchor|ageingq4}}Question 4: Where do you believe additional funding for care of older people should primarily be spent?

1. Residential care: 122
2. Home care: 198
3. Community-based integrated housing: 186

;{{anchor|ageingq5}}Question 5: Where do you believe overall funding for care of older people should come from?

1. General taxation: 215
2. Compulsory social insurance: 255
3. Private insurance: 115
4. Public–private cost-sharing: 150

;{{anchor|ageingq8}}Question 8: If the Government were to decide to extend regulation to other health and care services for older people, what other services do you believe should be regulated?

1. Respite care: 70
2. Day care: 68
3. Home care: 72
4. Supported housing: 71

;Question 16: When considering how we respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population, which of these suggestions do you believe are the most important to implement?

1. responsibility for older people should be formally delegated to a dedicated Minister of State for Older People. 72
2. dedicated information service for older people: 71
3. ensure that older people have a stronger voice in determining their own care needs: 69
4. stronger governmental leadership in relation to the prioritisation of the health and social care needs of older people: 65
5. encourage non-financial intergenerational transfers: 57
6. Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015{{#tag:ref|The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 is the framework for assisting those with impaired capacity to make life decisions, such as via advance healthcare directives and enduring power of attorney.{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Assisted_Decision-Making_(Capacity)_Act_2015 |title=Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 |year=2016 |work=Legislation & Law Reform |publisher=Department of Justice and Equality |access-date=28 July 2017}}; {{cite web |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/64/enacted/en/html |title=Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 |date=30 December 2015 |work=Irish Statute Book |access-date=28 July 2017}} |group="fn"}} and elder abuse prevention: 72

On 15 May 2019 Jim Daly, the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, gave a written Dáil response in relation to those recommendations within the remit of the Department of Health.{{cite web |title=Department of Health No.144: Citizens Assembly |url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2019-05-15a.393 |website=Dáil: Written answers |publisher=kildarestreet.com |access-date=18 June 2019 |date=15 May 2019}}

One meeting on climate change was planned, for the weekends starting 30 September and 4 November 2017; the second was added to the schedule on 17 July.{{cite press release |url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/News/The-Citizens%E2%80%99-Assembly-Will-Meet-For-Additional-Weekend-On-Topic-Of-Climate-Change.html|title=The Citizens' Assembly Will Meet For Additional Weekend On Topic Of Climate Change|date=19 July 2017|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=27 July 2017}} Speakers included the chair of the advisory group for a promised "National Dialogue on Climate Change".{{cite press release |url=http://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/news-and-media/press-releases/Pages/Minister-Denis-Naughten-publishes-Ireland%27s-first-statutory-National-Mitigation-Plan.aspx|title=Minister Denis Naughten publishes Ireland's first statutory National Mitigation Plan|date=19 July 2017|publisher=Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment|access-date=27 July 2017}}

Recommendations, all passed by at least 80% of members, included: empowering an independent body to address climate change; Greenhouse gas (GHG) tax, including carbon tax and agricultural GHG tax; encouragement of climate change mitigation, electric vehicles, public transport, forests, organic farming, and natural peat bogs; reduction of food waste; microgeneration of electricity; ending subsidy of peat extraction; increasing bus lanes, cycle lanes and park and ride facilities.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/How-the-State-can-make-Ireland-a-leader-in-tackling-climate-change/How-the-State-can-make-Ireland-a-leader-in-tackling-climate-change.html|title=How the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=22 March 2018}}

The Oireachtas responded to the report by establishing a Joint Committee on Climate Action, which published its own report on 29 March 2019.{{cite web |title=Committee on Climate Action – 32nd Dáil, 25th Seanad |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/32/climate-action/ |publisher=Houses of the Oireachtas |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=en-ie |date=17 June 2019}} On 9 May 2019 the Dáil endorsed the committee's report and symbolically declared a "climate and biodiversity emergency",.{{cite web |last1=Hennessy |first1=Michelle |title=What does the Dáil's declaration of a climate emergency actually mean? |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/climate-emergency-4627996-May2019/ |website=TheJournal.ie |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://greennews.ie/dail-call-climate-emergency/|title=Opposition calls for declaration of climate and biodiversity emergency|date=9 May 2019|website=Green News Ireland|language=en-US|access-date=5 November 2019}} The motion also requested a Citizen's Assembly to study the biodiversity loss emergency and how the state can improve its response. A "government action plan on climate change" followed on 17 June 2019.{{cite web |title=Citizens Assembly |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-05-21/63/ |website=Parliamentary Questions (32nd Dáil) |publisher=Oireachtas |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=en-ie |date=21 May 2019}}; {{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=George |title=Wind farms, electric cars, meters in Govt plan |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2019/0617/1055808-climate-action-plan/ |access-date=17 June 2019 |work=RTÉ News |date=17 June 2019 |language=en}}

{{see also|Referendums in Ireland}}

On the weekend of 13–14 January 2018 the Assembly considered the manner in which referendums are held. Recommendations included:{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Manner-in-which-referenda-are-held/Manner-in-which-referenda-are-held.html|title=Manner in which referenda are held|publisher=Citizens' Assembly|access-date=22 March 2018}}

• replacing the ad-hoc Referendum Commission with a permanent Electoral Commission, which would be "obliged to give its view on significant matters of factual or legal dispute that arise during a referendum campaign in the public domain (including on social media)"
• giving equal public money to both sides in referendum campaigns, imposing spending limits for registered parties and advocacy groups, and prohibiting anonymous donations to these groups;
• allowing multiple referendums on the same day, as at present; 41.7% preferred a maximum of two simultaneously
• allowing for preferendums with more than two (yes/no) options; in which case 52% preferred single transferable vote would be used to determine the outcome
• allowing citizens' initiatives for bringing questions either to the Oireachtas or to a referendum

The Assembly considered measures to increase voter turnout. It supported early voting, weekend voting, postal voting, online voting, lowering the voting age to 16, and allowing nonresidents to vote for up to five years after emigrating. It opposed compulsory voting.

The meeting on fixed-term parliaments was scheduled for the weekend of 3–4 March but because of Storm Emma was postponed until 14–15 April.{{cite web |title=Citizens' Assembly: Motion |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2018-03-21/37/ |website=Dáil Éireann (32nd Dáil) |publisher=Houses of the Oireachtas |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=en-ie |date=21 March 2018}} The issue was added to the assembly's remit at the insistence of Shane Ross of the Independent Alliance during negotiations on forming the government.{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Rónán |title=Only eight people (and one party) gave their view on whether we should have a fixed term Dáil |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/citizens-assembly-fixed-term-parliaments-3956258-Apr2018/ |access-date=17 June 2019 |work=TheJournal.ie |date=14 April 2018 |language=en}} There were eight public submissions, including one from the Green Party in favour of the UK system (embodied in the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011).

With 71 members present, the assembly voted 36–35 in favour fixed terms; 39–27 for 4 (rather than 5) years as the term; 63–3 in favour of allowing the term to be "cut short subject to certain conditions".{{cite web |title=Meeting of the Assembly on Fixed Term Parliaments: Results |url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Meetings/FTP-Ballot-Results.pdf |publisher=Citizens' Assembly |access-date=12 June 2019}}

In 2019, the Irish government announced two further Citizens' Assemblies including gender equality.{{cite news |last1=Hennessy |first1=Michelle |title='We're falling very far short': Citizens' Assembly on gender equality to start work in autumn |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/citizens-assembley-on-gender-4679018-Jun2019/ |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=TheJournal.ie |date=12 June 2019 |language=en}}

This assembly was tasked with exploring and, within 6 months, making recommendations on; barriers that facilitate gender discrimination towards girls and boys, women and men;

removing gender related economic inequalities, reassess the economic value placed traditional 'women's work'; women's full participation in workplace and political; considering the gender imbalance in care; and gender imbalance in low pay sectors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/news-publications/press-releases/dr-catherine-day-appointed-as-the-chair-of-the-new-citizens-assembly.html|title=Dr Catherine Day appointed as the Chair of the new Citizens' Assembly}}

Former Secretary-General of the European Commission Catherine Day was appointed as chair.

In November 2016, David Van Reybrouck commended the Citizens' Assembly and the predecessor Constitutional Convention as models that other European countries could usefully imitate, which could counter the rise of populism.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/why-ireland-s-citizens-assembly-is-a-model-for-europe-1.2876808|title=Why Ireland's citizens' assembly is a model for Europe|last=Humphreys|first=Joe|date=27 November 2016|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=30 November 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://thecorrespondent.com/5711/we-have-one-year-to-make-democracy-work-in-europe-or-else-the-trumps-take-over/570854427-59d8ed4b?_cldee=bWFnZGFsZW5hLnBhdHlrQGVlc2MuZXVyb3BhLmV1&recipientid=contact-87a59fe0c031e411892a005056a05070-dc94eb64de2f4367b480543ea0c5ff10&esid=17fd24c6-03be-e611-91ea-005056a05070&urlid=54|title=We have one year to make democracy work in Europe. Or else the Trumps take over|last=Van Reybrouck|first=David|date=19 November 2016|publisher=De Correspondent|access-date=27 July 2017}} A 2019 editorial in The Irish Times said that the Citizens' Assembly's work on abortion was a "great success" that "paved the way for the resolution of [a] potentially contentious social issue" and "a vital step on the road to generating support for constitutional change".{{cite news |title=The Irish Times view on citizens' assemblies: out-sourcing political decisions |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-times-view-on-citizens-assemblies-out-sourcing-political-decisions-1.3924889 |access-date=14 June 2019 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=14 June 2019 |language=en}}

{{reflist|group="fn"}}

• {{cite web|url=https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2016-10-04a.135|title=Questions: Citizens' Assembly|date=4 October 2016|work=Dáil Éireann debates|publisher=KildareStreet.com|access-date=5 October 2016 }}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/DOT/eng/Citizens_Assembly/Citizen_s_Assembly.html|title=Citizens' Assembly|publisher=Department of the Taoiseach|access-date=14 October 2016}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|citizensassembly.ie}}

{{Amendments of the Constitution of Ireland}}

Category:Amendments of the Constitution of Ireland

Category:Constitution of Ireland

Category:2016 in Irish politics

Ireland

Category:Abortion in the Republic of Ireland

Category:2016 establishments in Ireland

Category:2018 disestablishments in Ireland