Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I did not conveniently forget any referendum. I was referring to referendums which have already been held and I tried to get consensus on that issue as well. The people will make the final decision. If the Government and the Oireachtas agree on something and put it to the people, we have to accept their decision as the final arbiters. We should not be upset one way or the other as to their decision. We should put our case to the people and fight it and see whether they are against it. If the Deputy is of the strong opinion that we should spend more time and achieve agreement by June at the time of the general election, I am open to that and I will not stand in the way. If holding the referendum in June is a compromise instead of March or the autumn, I will ask my colleagues to accept the Deputy's suggestion to hold it on the same day as the general election.

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