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The Taoiseach and the Tanáiste today announced that the Government has appointed Mr. Tom Arnold as Chairperson of the Convention on the Constitution.

Welcoming the appointment, the Taoiseach said:

I am delighted that Tom Arnold has agreed to accept the role of Chairperson of the Convention on the Constitution.

Tom's strong personal commitment to justice and to improving the lives of citizens around the world make him an ideal choice for this task.

The Tánaiste also welcomed the appointment saying:

I wish Mr. Arnold all the best in this important role and I know from personal experience the huge energy and commitment that he will bring to the position.

This year, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Bunreacht na hEireann, the Government has established a process to ensure that our Constitution is equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Along with the Chair, each member of the Convention has an important job to do on behalf of Irish society and I look forward to the outcome of their deliberations.

Mr. Arnold commented:

It is a great honour for me to be appointed Chairperson of the Convention on the Constitution. I will do my best to ensure that every member of the Convention gets an opportunity to contribute to the work of the Convention. I am also looking forward to hearing the views of civil society on each of the issues we have been asked to consider. I am also very grateful for the support of the many academics, constitutional lawyers and political scientists who will play an important role in facilitating the success of the Convention over the next year.