Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is looking at making a considered amendment to section 43. With respect, it would not be reasonable for me to outline during Leaders' Questions what that detailed amendment will be. We are looking at it and will have an opportunity to tease through it with other political parties when the legislation is brought through the various Stages in the Dáil. The Referendum Commission cannot really get under way in the work it needs to do until we pass the legislation which I hope we will do this week. That will allow the commission to get on with its job of providing accurate information in order that in the upcoming referendum the people will be able to make an informed choice on the basis of the facts. I suspect there will be a lot more debate on the issue. Our advice is that the legislation proposed by Deputy James Lawless is simply not fit for purpose, but that does not mean that the issues raised in it do not require full consideration; they do. However, I would like to ensure we will consider the issues involved which we will have an opportunity to do in the context of the data protection legislation which will be brought before the House in the weeks ahead.

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