Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said earlier and as I am on the public record of saying throughout the summer, it was the intention that the referendum would take place and that the question would be asked of the people on 26 October, with the other referendum and the presidential election.

However, we are now in a situation where the referendum will not take place this year. Next May we have the European Parliament and local elections. That might well present an occasion on which the referendum might be held. In the programme for Government we put forward an indicative timeline for referenda. The likelihood is that the referendum on the divorce provision in the Constitution will be held next year. In response to Deputy Chambers, I would say that I have been informed by this committee of the timeframe it envisages for its deliberations. As soon as the committee reports to me, I will take matters further. Having regard to the fact that this issue has been the subject matter of speculation, I hope we will be in a position to put this question to the people in a referendum at some stage next year.