Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The independent Referendum Commission did a good job but the expectations are too high within the timeframe constraints. I thought the booklet, which was issued to every household, was straightforward and simple. People may have different views on the advertisements but everyone has views on every type of advertisement. People argue about sports and everything else, and such analysis is subjective.

I made a comment on my canvassing experience which might have been misinterpreted. I was busily talking about the Council of Ministers and the European Commission and I could see the glazed expression of the person. As Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae might say, I put the tin hat on it by saying that the independent Referendum Commission said such and such. I could see the person did not recognise any of the institutions I had referred to. This is the challenge we face. To expect the commission to establish itself and, within the space of two months, become known to everyone is unrealistic.

See this speech in context