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

The Taoiseach has failed to answer the two questions I asked, not for the first time in this Chamber and not for the first time during Leaders' Questions. Despite his protestations about being accountable to the House, he shows little sign of wanting to be accountable to the House or the people.

On the question of why he will not take part in a televised debate, I would put it to the Taoiseach that he owes more to the Irish people. In any modern democracy, it is the least that one can expect of leaders of political parties or those who put forward substantive fundamental reform of the Constitution. The Seanad has important constitutional functions. We would not be going to the people with this referendum if it did not.

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