Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

I join Senators Brian Hayes and Dardis in welcoming the talks in Northern Ireland. I agree that the two issues involved, to which the Senators have referred, should be separated. It is the patriotic duty of the Taoiseach and all democratically elected politicians to embrace warmly every opportunity to advance the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and, I hope, look forward to the restoration of the institutions in Northern Ireland. I know everybody joins me in wishing for a very successful outcome to the talks.

As distinct from Senator Tuffy, I welcome the decision of the Taoiseach to make a commitment to hold a constitutional referendum, if necessary, on the price of building land. While I raised this issue about two or three years ago when I outlined another formula in detail, I believe a constitutional referendum will be necessary to advance this programme. In view of the grief and the necessity for more housing, a constitutional referendum—