Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When I saw this amendment I felt it was a matter of window dressing because, in spite of many comments from this side of the House over the course of the debate on this legislation and arguments for putting this matter to the people at an early stage, the Minister set his face against nailing the issue down early by way of referendum. Now, at the 11th hour of this debate, the Minister has come up with this amendment. This has clearly been produced today and presented to us because of the real possibility that the Seanad will reject this legislation due to the fear of privatisation.

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