Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

I understand, from his replies to Deputy Martin, that there are many reasons the Taoiseach feels he cannot give us a date for the referendum. However, it seems to me to be more than coincidental that we are not getting a date either for the referendum or for the solution the Government is going to find on the Anglo Irish Bank promissory notes. It would be fair to draw a conclusion that one is dependent on the other. When we get one date, we will almost certainly get another date. For that reason, perhaps the Taoiseach will give the House an indication on when we can get a deal on the Anglo Irish Bank promissory notes.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources gave an interview to The Wall Street Journal last month stating that this would be done and dusted by 31 March. Perhaps the Taoiseach could confirm that. The Minister for Social Protection gave an interview to the Financial Times stating specifically that she was looking for a 50 year deal on the Anglo Irish Bank promissory notes. Can the Taoiseach state this is also Government policy? The Minister for Social Protection linked the two issues.

It seems there is a great deal of confusion on this issue, particularly as the Minister for Finance, whose area this is, appears to be the only person who is silent on it. Perhaps the Taoiseach could give us a specific indication of when we will get a deal or even a progress report on the promissory notes. We then might be more enlightened.

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