Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which advised that if there was to be a referendum, all Deputies and Senators should have the opportunity to speak if they so wished and that there should be 30 days' prior notice, and asked about the position of the referendum. No Government decision on the date for a referendum has been made. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform favours holding it on the same day as the European and local elections but many of us, including myself, think this would be a bad idea. It would not be the correct way to go about it. That is, however, a personal opinion and not that of Fianna Fáil, which is yet to take a position. Senator Brian Hayes stated there should be a Green Paper and a White Paper and said this House has a role to play. I fully agree that the Seanad has a role to play in such an important issue.

Senator Norris also mentioned the referendum and then raised the issue of An Taisce, saying there had been a coup in the body. Coups are regular events in political and social groups and there is nothing remarkable about them. Anyone has the right to assume a position and make a criticism.