Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Brian Hayes's comments about the proposed referendum on citizenship which is a matter of vital interest to every citizen, and properly so. Surely, however, the good of our democracy requires that all-party consensus should be reached on this matter. As Senator Ryan has pointed out, such consensus has already been reached with regard to the ninth progress report on private property to be launched this evening. There is no need to rush into a referendum on citizenship. We do not want to refer to what is very likely to happen as a result. We have had a taste of it.