Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the help of Deputy Hayes. It is even longer than I thought; it is nearly 30 years ago.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, was referring to that referendum in the context of Seanad reform which can be introduced.

Other reforms came from the report of the committee on Seanad reform, which Deputy Brian Hayes will recall, which we can deal with. That is also what the Minister was referring to which I support. There was an urgency in the Upper House that we undertake some of these reforms.

If we get into deeper reform and total change of the Seanad, as suggested in this House and elsewhere, it will mean a different constitutional referendum. That is not what the Minister or I stated. There may be merits in it but it would have to be examined in a separate context.

Regarding the Deputy's points about Northern Ireland and the Seanad, I have stated as Taoiseach that there are issues we would be prepared to examine in reforming the Seanad. Some of these could be introduced without a constitutional amendment while some may need one. I am still honour bound to deal with those ones that do not require a referendum and which can be done in the short term.

See this speech in context