John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I second the Government amendment. Timing is everything. If one does not get timing right, one is either too late or too early. Unfortunately, this evening's debate falls into both categories. It is too late to affect the Government decision to hold a referendum on 11 June, given that the Government took the decision yesterday, and it is too early to have an informed discussion on the substantive issue, as we still await publication of the legislation accompanying the proposed constitutional amendment.

This debate allows us to address a number of points. In assessing any course of action, one must take into account the consequences. I spoke on this issue in this House a few weeks ago and although certain people have chosen to distort my words for their own political advantage, I clearly stated that if such a referendum were to take place in conjunction with the local and European elections, it would need to be clearly explained in order to avoid the playing of the race card by certain parties or individuals for personal electoral gain. Unfortunately, the tenor of this debate has already centred on racism rather than on the substantive issue. I make no apologies for voicing these concerns. I appeal again to all politicians and candidates in the forthcoming election to consider the damage that can be done by following this route.

While I believe this debate will be conducted in a responsible manner by the majority of people, I will recount my own experiences in the last general election as a salutary lesson as to what can happen if someone plays the race card. I contested the last general election in Cork North Central. As in all elections, the issues were wide and varied. However, the issue that sickened me to the core was that of non-nationals in Ireland. Given the huge increase over the previous few years in the number of non-nationals entering this country, this was certainly an issue which needed to be addressed. All politicians acknowledge this, but the manner in which one candidate used it for personal gain was grossly irresponsible.