Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The need for a referendum can arise at any time, such as following a court judgment. There will not be a referendum until the Cabinet decides there is to be one, which was my answer in June. The Government's aim is to obtain agreement on an all-party basis as early as possible, which is always our aim with such an important issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has made a case not only in his own mind but at the United Nations, if anyone cares to read what he had to say on the matter. He has set out his thoughts a few times in the past few years but did so in particularly detailed form this summer. On a contentious issue it would not be good business for me to come here and set a date for a referendum. The Minister of State will engage with the parties in the House and all interested groups, of which there are many. If we can deal with it quickly we will do so but if we cannot then we cannot. It is up to us. The Minister of State would like to deal with it quickly and believes it need only take a few months.

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