Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

No, I am not filibustering. Does Deputy Martin suggest the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad should be held in February, March, April, May or June, during which time we may well have to deal with the conclusion of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, namely, the budget for the European Union? Were I to agree to such proposition from Deputy Martin he would be the first to say we cannot do it then because we will be tied up with the Presidency of the European Union and all that involves and means for the Irish economy in terms of dealing with the range of issues that have been around for a long time.

I assure the Deputy that a great deal of work has been done on the question of the abolition of the Seanad. As I stated, this will require the deletion of reference to the Seanad from every relevant Article, with no loss on the corresponding side in respect of the rights of citizens in so far as the Dáil is concerned. I will not make a pronouncement as to when that referendum will be held. However, I can assure the Deputy that it will be held. The people will be asked the question of whether they want the Seanad to be abolished. I believe it should be abolished. I understood from Deputy Martin's comments prior to the election that Fianna Fáil was of the same mind. However, the Deputy appears to be rowing back on this now. This is not the first time someone in his party has done so. However, that is a matter for his party.

I again assure Deputy Martin that the programme for Government is clear on this issue and that the commitment therein on this issue will be carried through. It is only a matter of deciding the appropriate time to do so.

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