Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

With regard to Deputy Kenny's question, the Attorney General cannot do an assessment until we see the legislation that is agreed, if we can get the legislation finally agreed. That will be in approximately three weeks' time. He has already put down his markers on it.

As I previously stated, the strong position of the Democratic Unionist Party, with which I do not agree, frankly, is that there should be an election in Northern Ireland. That is not a matter I can control. I think it will create other difficulties. However, if the party insists on this, the second largest party in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin, would also state there should be an election, although it would rather not have one. If it goes down that road, it will be a different procedure. We will still have to look at whatever the legislative changes would be. We cannot do that until we see the work completed.

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