Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We are aware of the timescale, which is getting very tight in terms of the commission that must be established in advance of a referendum being held. We are talking about three referenda and explanatory memoranda. At this stage the Government should be in a position at least to have a preliminary consultation with the Opposition parties on the proposed three referenda. If it does not happen before the summer recess then the Government is in significant difficulty given that its position has always been that we should have more time for referendum commissions than was the case in the past.

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