Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the second matter, I have asked the Minister and the officials to examine that. I raised it with them last Thursday when I was in the North. We await a response but I have asked the Minister to give it priority.

On the Deputy's first question on the referendum on the EU constitution, as of now, it will not arise in the short term. A review and an examination is taking place everywhere. I welcome what is happening here where many debates and discussions are taking place at different levels. Many politicians have been involved in some of the debates and discussions I attended, which is good. The more extensive the debate throughout the winter and spring, the better.

The Austrian Presidency next June will report on where to go. However, I do not believe the French or the Dutch will make announcements on this in the short term. The Dutch are very adamant that they will not return to this in the lifetime of their current government. No one has contradicted that. The French face a slightly different debate. They have other debates with which to contend. I do not believe this issue will come up before the French presidential election so I do not see it arising in the lifetime of this Dáil.

See this speech in context