Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I have given a response on the referendum issue to the Leaders of the Opposition. The national vetting bureau Bill is at an advanced stage. Work on the heads of that Bill has commenced. Substantial work has also been done on the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill. There is a difference between the considerations of an Oireachtas committee and those of all the relevant Departments. Clearly, the focus is on the Government appreciating the necessity for a referendum and we are working towards that.

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