Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The Minister had his chance to speak and should listen. One of his problems is that he does not listen. The Taoiseach said there was not to be a referendum on 11 June, which is on the record. What has happened in the meantime so that, as a matter of great urgency, it is necessary to hold the referendum on 11 June?

I thought the Minister would come to the House today with dramatic figures to show there was a significant flow of non-nationals into our maternity hospitals, that the number was increasing every month and that this month was the highest of all. However, he did not say that. Instead, the Minister and several Government Deputies used the phrase, "It is believed". What is believed? Ireland gave out over 40,000 work permits over recent years to a cohort of people, mostly of child-bearing age.

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