Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader give an assurance, as I suspect she will, that should this report come out against the plans to foist electronic voting on the people, the Government will withdraw the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004 from the Order Paper? One could not have a situation where the Government would proceed with the legislation after an independent commission had ruled against its proposal. I want a commitment from the Leader that should the report be negative for the Government, and for the Minister in particular, the Bill will be removed from the Order Paper.

There is a commitment to conclude No. 1 by 4 p.m. However, if speakers are offering at that time, will the debate proceed or will the Second Stage debate be resumed next week, in light of the clear recommendations from the All-Party Committee on the Constitution that there should be no guillotining of any debate on a referendum proposal? Will the Leader reply to that issue as well?