Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach confirmed yesterday that the Government has decided to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage next spring. As he knows, the manner in which the Government has organised recent referendums has been severely criticised in respect of issue like the commissions that have been established, the timelines and, in the case of the children's rights referendum, the Supreme Court decision on the deliberate breaches of the legislation by a Minister. The Government has committed to the publication of an electoral (amendment) (referendum spending and miscellaneous provisions) Bill, which will provide for the disclosure of expenditure and donations at a referendum campaign and the extension of the spending limit period that applies at presidential, Dáil, European Parliament and local elections. The Taoiseach might indicate when we can expect that Bill to be published. Will it be published in advance of the referendum on same-sex marriage? The Taoiseach might also let me know when the commission to prepare for the referendum will be established.

The Ceann Comhairle might be interested in the proposed noise nuisance Bill, which will extend and improve the powers available to enforcement authorities to prevent, reduce or abate noise nuisances by allowing for on-the-spot fines and providing for mediation between neighbours.

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