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

Publication of that material would serve the public interest by facilitating a more reflective debate on the issues. People are already introducing their own proposals and ideas. For instance, a group of Senators, former Senators and others recently published a reform document which advocated legislation to reform the Seanad. It would be useful if the work the Government has undertaken in regard to this proposal were published, without any commentary one way or the other, so that others can work on and draw their own conclusions from it.

In regard to other proposed referendums, the Taoiseach is now formally indicating that the announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, may lead to several constitutional amendments. Again, it would be helpful if the Minister made the material available to the House in a timely fashion. He will find us co-operative on a number of these issues. Given the Tánaiste's comment that it is the defining civil rights issue of this generation, does the Taoiseach expect a referendum during the lifetime of this Government on the issue of marriage equality?

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