Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I join with Deputy Kenny on the first point. As I have already stated, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Government and I have indicated that the safeguarding of the welfare of our citizens abroad at all times must be a particular priority of any Government. We attach the highest importance to securing the safe and timely release of Sharon Commins and her Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kawuki. The House will be aware that, on being made aware of this abduction, the Government began a concerted and focused response, co-ordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and involving several Government Departments and agencies, and a multidisciplinary team of experienced experts, who were rapidly dispatched to Sudan to manage the situation on the ground and to seek an early resolution to what is a very difficult situation.

The Government of Sudan has assured us that the abduction is being treated very seriously and that everything possible is being done to secure the release of the two aid workers. I want to put on the record our appreciation for the efforts and assistance of the authorities which we are obtaining. I met the UN Secretary General today for a working lunch. The UN personnel on the ground have been very helpful in terms of providing logistics and help to ensure we get around to those people we need to get around to in order to find out what is happening and identify possible abductors.

The Government remains in close contact with the family. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has spoken to members of the family to emphasise we are doing everything in our power to ensure the safe release of Ms Commins and her colleague. We have also been liaising closely with the British, French and Canadian Governments, which have previous experience of similar abductions involving aid workers, including in Darfur itself.

Everything that can be done at this stage is being done. I am fully cognisant of the need to keep the public informed of developments but I am also aware of the need for discretion in what we say in public. The Irish team in Sudan is working diligently and should be allowed to get on with its work. I am sure it has the support of the House in so doing. I want to assure the House the full range of expertise and contacts at the disposal of the Irish Government and the NGO system in Sudan is being mobilised to assist with this operation.

With regard to the other issues raised by the Deputy, it is expected that we will announce the date for the referendum, which I had indicated would be in early October, on the discussion of the referendum Bill in the House this week. We are still working to bring forward the other legislation for publication this month with a view to returning in September but no decision has been taken yet.

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