THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION holds its first meeting in Dublin Castle this afternoon, beginning a year-long series of discussions which could lead to eight (or more) possible referendums on various measures.
The 100-member body, chaired by Concern chief executive Tom Arnold, includes 66 members of the general public, who have been selected in order to provide a representative sample of the demographics of the Irish population.
It also includes 29 members of the Oireachtas and four members of the Northern Ireland assembly.
This afternoon’s hearing will be addressed by High Court justice Gerard Hogan, a noted constitutional scholar, and by former UCC professor Dermot Keogh, who will address members on the qualities and development of the constitution as it currently stands.
After being addressed by the leaders of the four main Dáil political parties and by independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan, the assembly will also be addressed by UCD’s Prof David Farrell and DCU’s Dr Jane Suiter, who will brief members on the experiences of similar conventions in other countries.
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