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

The Deputy is correct that there have been delays and obfuscation regarding this issue down through the years. There were unacceptable delays in legislating for the X case. There were delays in allowing for a referendum and legislation to allow people to have access to information and to underline the right to travel. The Deputy is correct that there have been long-standing delays in dealing with this difficult issue. When I stood up here on my first day as Taoiseach, however, I said this matter would be one of my priorities. I tasked the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to bring forward proposals for a referendum. I said there would be a referendum and that it was my intention to have it before the summer of this year.

With regard to my role in this, nobody could accuse me, as Taoiseach, of causing any undue delays on this issue but I do not want to make any mistakes either. When the Attorney General asks for a day to consider the written judgment, the Attorney General will get a day to consider the written judgment. I agree with the Deputy, however, that if we can have the Bill in the House tomorrow night, we should. If not, we should have a full session on Friday.

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