Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

In the context of this issue, a referendum could be held on the same day at minimal additional expense to update our constitutional provisions to deal with the current economic difficulties. We need a proper constitutional mechanism to address this issue. We should not play games with it, nor should the Government. It is the Government's responsibility to address this issue and with the Bill that is now being published, it has the opportunity to support it by providing time for it to be debated in the new year and facilitating the necessary referendum. I ask the Minister to confirm that the Government will do this.

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