Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are going to go through the usual process at EU level, which involves discussions, working groups and negotiations on the issue. Inevitably, it will come back to the Council of Ministers for agreement. The measure also has to be agreed at European Parliament level.

There is probably some time in it although I cannot predict with certainty what the timeframe will be. However, if we are looking at the need to hold a referendum on the issue, then, by some happy coincidence - it is actually a planning matter - 2015 is likely to be a good year to hold the referendum.