Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I would like to engage in a long debate on the issues raised, I reiterate that I am constrained in terms of the hearing in January. The issues raised will be considered by the Government. In the conduct of future referendums I am committed to working within the parameters of the judgment delivered. I agree with the Deputy that we must carefully consider the conclusions of the court. The Government will do so. For the first time since 1995, the Supreme Court has provided some important guidelines on the application of the principle in the McKenna judgment. With regard to the recent campaign, it is interesting to note that distinction between the Department's information initiatives and those of the Referendum Commission was not a feature the comments or complaints received from the public. Deputy Ó Caoláin has acknowledged this point and I thank him for doing so. This aspect was not a feature of the many verbal or written queries to the Department. When we initially discussed the referendum on 26 September, all sides were concerned about getting out a great deal of information. There were issues in respect of the complexity of material. People in the House identified the need to engage the public with the debate to provide explanation and encourage turnout to vote. On 26 September, I said we were committed to ensuring people had all the information they needed to make an informed decision on 10 November. I also referred to the website. Much of the research on the referendum shows significant gaps in information. The Government agrees that these matters must be considered and will be considered.

See this speech in context