Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The members of Fine Gael are approaching this issue as responsible parliamentarians. If the Government is genuine about achieving cross-party discussion, dialogue, and support it should accept this reasoned amendment and refer the matter to an all-party committee for report before 1 September. This would facilitate a referendum, if necessary before the end of the year, if that course of action were to be recommended. This is a reasonable proposal which would defuse the current adversarial and divisive debate on this sensitive issue and I urge the Government to accept the amendment.

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