The lengthy meeting involved “frank, open, honest, robust, clearing of the air”, he told Newstalk Breakfast.

Five citizens’ assemblies have been established by the Houses of the Oireachtas in the past nine years, aimed at involving members of the public in the consideration of constitutional, legal or policy questions.

Seamus McGrath, the older brother of Michael, is aiming to secure his old Dáil seat in Cork South Central.