Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

When Deputy Martin addressed these questions before, there was clearly a 12-month period in front of us where one was not required to have a referendum. We have had formal legal advice from the Attorney General to have a referendum on what is a fundamentally important issue for the future of this country, and that will be dealt with on its own. Thereafter, the process in respect of both the child protection referendum and the Seanad will take their place. I will not lock into timeframes. We have a very important consideration for the future of Ireland to deal with. The people have a right to deal with that on its own, in the full knowledge that this is important for the future of our children and our country in the years ahead.

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