Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

If I state that we must have it by a particular time, taking into account the consultation process, people will say that I am being prescriptive in trying to decide it. It is an open question. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is available and ready to enter into dialogue with the political parties and the many NGO organisations with an interest in this issue and has been talking to them over recent months prior to the UN meeting. If we can agree on the wording, I am happy to have the referendum whenever possible. It may be included with other issues, before the general election or with the election. I am totally open on the issue.

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