Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There are no Supplementary Estimates. I said previously that I would like to hold the two referendums on the one day if possible; the timing is a matter to be discussed by party leaders. We face a challenge in dealing with this and when it should be. It must be some time in the summer or early autumn because it must be ratified by 2008. We have a calendar year to deal with the issue. It will not be any earlier because if the treaty is signed in Lisbon or Brussels in December, we must have a referendum Bill and a referendum commission must be established while we get through the legislative work programme. It will take some months. I am happy, however, to discuss the issue. If we can do them together we will. It is not essential but it would be useful because the party leaders all made a commitment in April that we would deal with the children's issue within a year and there is a commitment to deal with the treaty in 2008.

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