Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy knows first hand how complex this area is but I assure him that active work is being done to resolve some of the difficulties. It is a complex task. Real concerns were expressed by the previous Attorney General. There was concern about some unintended consequences in terms of the demands on the State. It is a question of seeing how we can resolve those. In advance of that I have not made decisions on some of the issues the Deputy raises but I welcome what he said regarding all-party support. The ideal position would be to have all-party Oireachtas support for this referendum. That would be my intention and I intend consulting across the Houses on the development of the approach to the referendum. At this stage I am focusing on ensuring that we get a wording and then preparing the necessary legislation.

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