Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Multi-Unit Developments Bill was due to be taken last week. We have been waiting six or seven years for this legislation and it is important that the Second Stage relating to it be completed prior to the summer recess. Will the Tánaiste ensure this happens? In view of the number of companies that have gone bust, there are major difficulties for young people in the type of apartment blocks to which the legislation relates.

Deputy O'Rourke, who was the Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children, recently gave an interview in which she appeared to indicate that the referendum on the relevant amendment should be held this year. She also appealed to the Opposition not to require that the three outstanding by-elections should happen simultaneously. Is that now the Government's position and will the amendment to the Constitution be the subject of a referendum this year?

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