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

Deputy Micheál Martin made a very good suggestion in appealing to employers to facilitate staff who want to participate in the referendum. I hope there will be a big turnout. In the referendum in 1983, only 55% of people voted. I hope more people will take part in the upcoming referendum, an important exercise in democracy. I very much appeal to employers to allow their staff to make it to the polling stations on Friday. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. This is in order to maximise participation by people. I was knocking on doors in Clonsilla in my constituency last night and met somebody from Westmeath who will be going home to vote. It does not take a long time to get from Blanchardstown to Westmeath but there are people who will be travelling to west Cork, Donegal and other places. These are very long journeys and I hope employers will offer some flexibility to people in that regard, no matter how they decide to vote.

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