THE body of experts set up to review the Constitution has advised against expanding the powers of the Presidency into Government areas. But it says it should be easier for citizens toe run for the office.
The body, under the chairmanship of Dr T.K. Whitaker, says that there is "no public demand or good reason for the abolition of the office" and that the President should be officially described as the Head of State.
The Cabinet last night took note of the interim report and authorised its publication. It will now be considered by an all party committee on the Constitution to be set up shortly, which will make recommendations on changes in the 1937 document.
The review group will continue its work on the report and will present a final version later this year. Under its terms of reference, the group was told to take into account that matters such as Articles 2 and 3, divorce, the right to bail, Cabinet confidentiality and votes for emigrants were "the subject of separate consideration."
The interim report opposes changing the present PR system of Oireachtas elections to a first past the post system as in Britain. Fianna Fail has twice tried to change the PR system by referendum but failed.
But the report refers to the criticisms of the present system and does not rule out some change, such as a list system which would still be based on proportional representation.
On changing the referendum system, the group says that it has worked well in practice and should not be changed. But it considered whether referendums could be held as a result of "popular initiative" if sufficient signatures could be obtained.
It also considered whether there could be "preferendums", in which the voters would be offered a choice between three or more proposals instead of the present Yes or No system.
The articles dealing with international relations and the powers to ratify treaties, such as membership of the EU, were also studied. The group considered that the North South bodies with executive powers proposed in the Framework Document would need to be approved by referendum.
It rejected allowing any's Government power to enter into treaties which would "cede the executive power of the State" without having to hold a referendum.
But it recommends that there should be a new pro vision which would "remove any uncertainty concerning the validity of our membership of the United Nations".
The group favours holding a referendum if the EU InterGovernmental Conference starting this year proposes, major changes in the present, EU treaties.