Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy asked a number of questions. With regard to the referendum, there are merits in having more than one question to deal with the five issues; there will probably be two questions. Subject to consultation, the Government would see merit in doing that again. We will see what happens in the consultations but we have not ruled it out. As I said to Deputy Higgins, it is not a good idea to hold the referendum on the same day as the election. It would lead to the question Deputy Rabbitte considered it necessary to ask, that is, whether Fianna Fáil sees a political advantage in having a referendum on this issue. I do not want that to happen; that is not the purpose of the referendum and it is not a good idea.

I strongly support the civic forum. It does not require legislative changes. We have spent the past eight or nine years working on the civic forum concept and engaging with people in many different ways. It would be a huge advantage to Northern Ireland in the future and for engaging with civic society and various interest groups in the South if we can get it up and running.

With regard to the final question, I do not believe other legislation is required. The amending legislation on the Foyle is now resolved. If other legislation is necessary, we will deal with it but I do not envisage it being required at this stage. If there is a suggestion otherwise, we will move quickly on it.

See this speech in context