Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

The Taoiseach rather conveniently ignored another referendum relating to the rights of the unborn, which was passed but had unforeseen consequences which led to two further referendum proposals. Surely the Taoiseach recognises the need to ensure proper scrutiny, consultation and consensus when it comes to the rights of the born children? He has not explained to the House the reason we cannot have that space and time to ensure we have that result and hold the referendum on the same day as the general election. It does not make sense to say that somehow it would be politically used on the day of a general election but not on any other day. There is a much better chance of party politics being taken out of the referendum campaign if consensus could be reached, if time was given to it and it was held on the same day as the general election. The Taoiseach's argument against holding it on the same day as the general election does not make much sense to me.

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