Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

No, it is in the context of a legislative proposal and promised legislation, a referendum Bill, to facilitate an opportunity for the people to pass judgment on the merits or otherwise of the all-party committee's recommendations, which I underscore were unanimous. Yesterday evening, the Minister of State indicated that the time delay was because each Department needs to respond on its particular assessment of what is involved vis-À-vis its respective portfolio. Is the Taoiseach in a position to advise how soon after receipt of the final report the details of the all-party committee's deliberations were provided to each Department and to the Office of the Attorney General? How long does the Taoiseach regard as a reasonable timeframe for them to give the recommendations their respective considerations?

Significant concern has been caused by the comments of Deputy Ó Cuív, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, as the Department was known, about the old age pension.

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