Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I echo the good wishes of the Ceann Comhairle to all who work in this House - members, staff and media. I return to the issues I raised with the Tánaiste when we were debating the date for the resumption. I refer to the Government's plans for the children's referendum and the three by-elections. What is the Government's intention with regard to these matters? Will the Government consider recalling the Dáil for one day in early September to pass legislation to allow the referendum to be held and to pass the required motions to move the writs for three by-elections? From a democratic point of view it is unacceptable that three constituencies - Dublin South, Donegal South-West and Waterford - are without representation in this House. Over the course of the past week we have seen votes where the margin by which matters were decided was less than three. People in those constituencies are entitled to their full representation in the Dáil. What are the Government's plans regarding the by-elections in the referendum?

It has been decided the Dáil will not be back until 29 September and it would be sensible to hold the children's referendum and three Dáil by-elections in September. It would have the advantage of not disrupting Dáil business later in the year and would achieve what has been agreed on an all-party basis, that the rights of children are written into the Constitution by referendum. This can be put to the people and the people of Dublin South, Donegal South-West and Waterford will be fully represented in the House.

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