Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin raised a number of important issues. In respect of the decision to hold the referenda on presidential age and marriage equality, I originally thought that it might be possible to hold five or six referenda on the same day. I learned from the first occasion where two referenda were held on the same day that it is not that simple. People inevitably say "I don't know enough about this. I'm confused by all the explanations that are out there. Therefore, I might vote or I might not vote." In hindsight, it was overly enthusiastic to consider holding half a dozen referenda on the same day called Constitution Day. For that reason, we made a choice. The Convention on the Constitution said that we should have referendums in certain areas. We dealt with six referenda during the lifetime of this Government on Oireachtas committees; judges' remuneration; the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union; children's rights; the abolition of the Seanad, the setting up of the Court of Appeal; and the two most recent referenda. I think more referenda have been held in the lifetime of this Government than in the lifetime of any other Government.

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