Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Kenny that the notion of a window dressing week in January is entirely unacceptable. At the last count, I understand that 11 guillotines will have operated this week. This is against the background in which the House was suspended three times in this term. It is now proposed that the House should return without an Order of Business, parliamentary questions, Adjournment Debates or Leaders' Questions. Members will have a sanitised week, which is a most unfortunate precedent and the Labour Party will oppose it.

Am I correct in deducing there will not be a referendum after all on the protection of the child? I read in the newspapers that the Taoiseach is retreating from his earlier position. He sent out his backbenchers to agree one thing at the committee, as well as two Ministers who, unusually, served on the committee. However, he is now minded to take a different view. I heard the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, state that whatever is decided, it is unlikely to be decided this side of the general election. Can the Taoiseach clarify the position?

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