Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has committed to a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. What does he mean by the term, "work in progress"? I asked the Taoiseach on a previous occasion if he would share the work in progress with other Members. This is a very reasonable request in my view. I ask him again to publish all the background material related to the issue of abolition of the Seanad. This would allow Members and other parties to prepare to inform themselves on the issue. It would at least facilitate the general political discussion on the issue of a second House. There has not been an informed discussion because none of the material on the work undertaken by the Government with regard to abolition of the Seanad has been published.

The Taoiseach stated in his reply that the referendum will not be held before next June. Given his privileged knowledge of the work in progress on the abolition of the Seanad, will he indicate to the House whether he envisages a referendum in the latter half of 2013 or the first half of 2014? Will he confirm one or the other times?

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