Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On the point about concluding the finance Bill a month earlier, last year Second Stage of the Finance Bill was taken from 9 February to 22 February, Committee Stage was taken from 23 February to 25 February and Report Stage was taken on 9 March to 10 March. I do not see "a month earlier" in any of that. Those are the dates over which the Finance Bill went through this House.

Clearly I would prefer if no further legislation were to come from the Government and that the only secret ballot taking place this evening was the opportunity for the people to cast their votes in a general election. That said, there is an important piece of legislation that we addressed earlier on which I wish to get clarity from the Taoiseach. On the proposed children's rights referendum Bill, I note that the Taoiseach indicated that it would not be published until the Minister of State with responsibility for children has had the opportunity to engage with all of the respective spokespersons on children. Did the Taoiseach indicate in the earlier reply that the Government does not intend to progress the proposal to told a referendum on children's rights on the day of the general election unless or until there is agreement across the board reflective of the all-party position previously arrived at? Could the Taoiseach be clear this evening not only for political voices as a large body of people have made a significant investment in the engagement of that committee from the non-governmental organisations-----

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