Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

On this historic day, as the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution reaches its conclusion and votes on the proposals before it, one of the things we are all dying to know - particularly mná na hÉireann and the young people of Ireland - is whether we will have an early referendum in May of next year? We will have issued our report on time and will have done so in a comprehensive and clear fashion. The necessity for holding an early referendum was discussed in the House previously. It would allow for young people, particularly those in college who might leave to take up employment elsewhere, to vote next May. Will the Taoiseach indicate whether we are on course to have an early referendum in May 2018?

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