Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What I want Deputy Higgins to understand is that, when the Government makes a decision on any of these matters, it will be communicated immediately to the people in the same way we did when, following the agreement of the text of the treaty, we asked the Attorney General directly for formal legal advice. When that became available, we immediately made known the decision to the people. We will do so as well when the Government actually decides to have the referendum.

I can confirm to Deputy Higgins that the Government intends to publish the fiscal responsibility Bill, which will give legal effect to the details of what is contained in the fiscal stability treaty. I can confirm to him that the Government this morning approved for preparation the heads of the referendum Bill. The Government will consider that Bill at its next meeting. The Government will have to follow that, once it is approved, with the setting up of a referendum commission, as we indicated we would. These decisions will be communicated to the House and the people immediately after they are made.

The intention is to publish the fiscal responsibility Bill, to produce and approve the referendum Bill, to produce and put in place the referendum commission and an appropriate person to chair that-----

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