Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The heads of the building control Bill have been approved for some time and it is scheduled for mid 2005.

On the referendum, a spring 2006 referendum is the probable preference of the British Government, although it is not final. There will probably be an election before then. It is advisable for us to hold our referendum before then, although we have not decided on a date. We are, however, looking at the steps we must take to ensure everything moves in time. We want to spend as much time as we can ensuring the preparatory work is done

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