Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It could have been done differently in an upfront and transparent way. However, for its own reasons, the Government has chosen to play political games with a sensitive issue. It is almost as if the Government wants a divisive and contentious debate to generate racist commentary. I find the Minister's comment that those who may be racists and who wish to vote "No" to do so is unnecessarily provocative and must be withdrawn.

The Taoiseach failed to make any reference to this referendum when he answered questions to the House on 17 February for 45 minutes. He knew the Government's proposals and his action and behaviour amounted to contemptuous treatment of the Dáil. The Tánaiste has admitted that the Government has been aware of the difficulty in this area for six years. She also said that nobody foresaw these consequences in the drafting of the Good Friday Agreement.

See this speech in context