Sir, – It is an understatement to describe the programme for government as vague. The details are limited and in many cases aspirational. We are told that the new Government “supports” an increase in entitlements for carers and those with a disability, although it does not explicitly say that an increase is forthcoming.
Similarly, the programme commits key decisions, particularly those around funding for higher education to the relevant joint Oireachtas committee, whose recommendations the Government may or may not implement.
In addition, the eighth report of the Convention on the Constitution, on whether a right to housing should be given constitutional protection, will be put before the housing and homelessness committee for its consideration. This is more a legal than a political issue, given concerns around a possible distortion of the separation of powers if such a right were to be enumerated in the Constitution. Therefore, this matter should be put before a group of lawyers rather than politicians.
Finally, it was surprising to see that there was no commitment by Government to hold a referendum on the Eighth Amendment; instead the matter is to be put before an assembly of citizens. We've already had a de facto assembly of citizens in the form of a constitutional convention, where the issue of the Eighth Amendment was considered. This is yet another example of how Ireland has failed to meet its international obligations. Not alone have we still not given full effect to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but now it seems we will not hold a referendum on abortion. A Constitution is a living document that should reflect the social reality of the time. It is clear that on this issue, our Constitution remains locked in the 1980s. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL JAMES
BOLAND,
Tipperary.