Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

There has been much debate on the Bill. To refer to the contribution of my constituency colleague, Deputy Grealish, what if the referendum was not to take place on 11 June? Fine Gael accepts there is a problem, although the Minister did not seem to think it a significant one until very recently. However, there would not be the slightest problem if the referendum was to take place on its own next October, after going through the relevant Oireachtas committee. Knowing this, why did the Government decide to hold the referendum on 11 June?

I was in the House some time ago when the Leader of the Opposition asked the Taoiseach whether a referendum would run in conjunction with the local elections on 11 June. The official answer was that it was not planned to hold such a referendum. From where has the significant demand come? Could what is to be done on 11 June not be put back until October?

I listened attentively to the Minister's speech in this debate.

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