Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Two issues arise from that. I understand the Taoiseach said the Government is now considering a new wording. Do I understand from that the Government is considering a new draft of the proposal? Given that the original wording came from an all-party committee, does he intend to share the proposed new wording with the all-party committee? How does he intend to progress the new wording? Is it intended that the Government will consider the new wording and come to the House with a Bill for a referendum which contains the new wording or will there be consultation or discussion with the all-party committee on what the new wording contains?

I again return to the intention of the Government. Is it still the Government's intention to hold the referendum in the lifetime of this Government or do I interpret what the Taoiseach has said about the difficulties the Government is considering, in terms of the consequences of the amendment and the provision being put into the Constitution, as meaning that the referendum will not be held at all?

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