Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

-----with the finest of legal advice, expert to this area.

Now that the Taoiseach has indicated to the House that the Government will proceed to look at an alternative wording, will he advise us whether he has concluded his deliberations with the various Departments vis-À-vis the impact of the change in the Constitution on their respective areas of responsibility; whether the deliberations of the Attorney General have concluded; and whether he expects he will reach a finite position on the now being drafted alternative wording before the end of the year? If that would be the case - or if it is not the case, whichever - is the Taoiseach in a position at this point in time to indicate the Government's expected timeframe for the conclusion of this process which at present has a duration of several months? Will the Taoiseach affirm for the House that the Government will come before the House and advise of its intention to move towards a referendum in 2011? If new wording is to be agreed at Cabinet will the former committee, no longer in existence, be reconstituted for an evaluation of what the Government will propose?

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