Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

In other countries there are options in respect of amending the Constitution but in Ireland it is the Taoiseach who calls the shots. He has stated that if we can hold the referendum we will and, if not, we will not. This does not indicate a firm commitment. Is there a date by which time a decision will be made that it is too close to the general election and we must wait until a new Government is formed? The Taoiseach has stated it will not happen before Easter but after Easter people will have to go to polling stations twice in quick succession. Is he prepared to leave a month between bringing people to the polling stations twice? At what point can we be clear whether this will happen before the general election?

See this speech in context