Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As I stated early on, the Government has a preference but we would like to get political agreement. The Government format is based on our current thinking, subject to the deliberations with the other parties. I emphasise it is open to amendment, based on those considerations. If it is clear that other parties are unwilling to agree or want a longer period and will not agree to a referendum this side of the election or on the same day as the election — which seems to be the preference of the Labour Party — then the Government will put forward its own proposals. I will not be proceeding to create a division on this issue in the next few months. Having spent a long time on significant consultation in the past nine months I intend to bring it to finality for the sake of those who have acted in good faith with the Government. It is really a question of what the parties wish to do. If agreement can be reached then so be it.

I do not really care if we have the referendum in April, May or at the same time as the election but I have to say to Deputy McManus that I do not think it would be good to have it on the same day as the general election. We would do so if everybody said we should but we would get into another sideshow with those opposed to the amendment and either it would not be properly debated or it would get confused with the general election. Neither outcome would be particularly good. If the Deputy were to ask what would be my choice, I would rather not have the referendum on the same day as the general election but if everybody else said it was a good idea, I would not stand in the way.

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