Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There is no referendum envisaged at this stage. Perhaps some urgent issue may arise but none is envisaged. Based on the recommendations of the all-party committee we have a good record. We have dealt with the issue of abolition of reference to the death penalty, the issue of judicial oversight was not passed, the abortion issues, local government recognition, the constitutional amendment and conduct of referendum were dealt with, as was the scrutiny of EU business and a host of other recommendations from the All-Party Committee on the Constitution that did not require constitutional change. There is a number of other issues across Departments that have been examined but there are only so many issues that can be dealt with. Some of the issues raised cannot be grouped together satisfactorily. Other issues are, perhaps, not very urgent. The issue of votes for under 18 year olds is not one with which I would agree. I would not agree with all the recommendations. Given that we have had eight on nine referendums during the past five or six years I do not envisage other referendums.

On on the issue of Northern Ireland representation, there is an all-party committee report. I undertook to ask party leaders to see if we could implement the recommendations of that all-party committee report. It is not envisaged that members will have rights of audience in this House but, as I said outside the House, it would make sense, in line with the all-party committee recommendation, to examine the basis of discussion at committees of the House when discussing either North-South reports, which we produce every year, updates on the Good Friday Agreement or other relevant all-Ireland issues concerning economic and energy issues. Those issues could be discussed in committees. That would be a useful initiative and one I support but a constitutional referendum in terms of the role of this House is not envisaged.

As Deputies are aware there are proposals on Seanad reform which may require amendments, but we are some way off coming to an understanding on that issue.

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