Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

That is why we are holding two referendums, one to deal with whistleblowers and one to deal with the consequences of the Abbeylara inquiry so those elected to the House by the people from all parties will have the authority of a referendum, if the people so decide to pass it, to call witnesses before it by compulsion, as many of them should, to answer questions about their conduct and the expenditure of public resources and so on.

That is a deliberate decision by the Government to allow for this House to be able to do its job. The Deputy's party did nothing about that for 14 years.

The third referendum to be held in October deals with the question of judicial pay. As the Deputy is aware, it is very important to highlight the difference between the Executive and Judiciary and to retain that independence. At a time of national challenge, this matter should be dealt with by the people.

In respect of the Lisbon referenda, the Deputy's question asks if the Taoiseach has put in place or plans to put in place any administrative arrangements to facilitate the consultation by him and officials of his Department with party leaders. In respect of the referenda on Europe, there was no administrative position.

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