Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

At the time of the Abbeylara tragedy and when the report thereon was issued, during the term of the 29th Dáil, I called for a referendum. Does the Minister agree that some of the proposals made, including that on judges' pay, are non-controversial and would - I am not being presumptuous about the people's vote - probably be supported by an extensive majority? Does he also agree that a number of the referenda could be held on same day as the Presidential election? While he is at it, why does he not hold a referendum on the Presidency, either to make the office completely democratic such that it would be open to every citizen to stand which is not the case at present, or to abolish it on the grounds that it is a waste of money?

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