Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, but as always she was articulate and asked a very pertinent question.

It is very much my preference that the referendum be held in May rather than June in order that we maximise the number who will be able to participate in it. I have met student groups and said this to them. There is an all-party committee which is to make a recommendation to the House on whether there should be a referendum and also on the wording. As almost all of us accept at this stage that there will be a referendum, I look forward to seeing the committee's recommendation on the wording. It will then be up to the Government, or the House, to propose a wording. We will require legislation and a referendum commission, as well as time for a campaign. Based on that process which is the only one we can follow, the earliest we can hold the referendum is May. That is certainly my preference, but it is not something that is fully under my control. Ultimately, the Oireachtas will decide the date of the referendum, not the Government.

See this speech in context