Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his undertaking to give a structured response. That is very welcome. I again thank my colleagues on the committee who engaged so constructively and intensively in the work we carried out. There was an immense range of issues that we had to cover in a short timeframe. We had a superb secretariat working with us on that and I thank them as well. I am also conscious that we will have the opportunity to debate the report in both the Dáil and the Seanad in the new year. I reiterate that we have done a huge amount of work to achieve a singular set of wording that could be put to the people by way of referendum and that we believe has moved us on in respect of that pathway to holding a referendum on this. I understand the Government will want to ensure there is a clear consensual basis for moving forward with that referendum but I think our engagement has provided a good pathway on that. We also produced an interim report on this July. We engaged with stakeholders since that report was published and that is what has led us to this clear recommendation for constitutional change. I again urge the Tánaiste to take up that challenge and ensure that referendum is held within the next 12 months.

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