Mr. Pat Deering:

We are not stating we have been doing this for 50 years so it cannot be changed. We are stating it has been considered on a number of occasions over this time, but this does not mean it cannot be changed or does not need to be changed. The Referendum Commission stated what it felt was required was further research. It is important that in examining this we include the widest possible research, including the considerable research in the UK which I mentioned in my presentation.

We must do our own research and examine our experience in that regard. The point I was trying to make is that when people vote "Yes" or "No" they are deciding on legislation. The Seanad Bill is a good example, as there were a number of consequential changes. Therefore, people were voting on whether they wished to change the Constitution to insert all of these other changes in it. In that case to have simply have put a question such as, "Do you wish to abolish the Seanad?", would not have stood up legally afterwards.

We are not saying it cannot be changed but that it is important to hold onto the legal aspects and find a way of removing the confusion that exists to the greatest extent possible. We believe there are two elements to this. A key element is the information people are given in advance of and during the campaign beforehand.