Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I have. I ask the Leader to ensure CPP steps up to the mark on this issue.

Will the Leader accede to the request made by Senator Donohoe for a debate on the issues he raised? I compliment the Senator on his constructive contribution to the debate in the House last night. There is a need for us to address the issues, including the ten-point plan of Congress. We must look at the structures of this House so we can deal with these issues in a manner that will yield concrete, positive proposals. That is what people want. I suggest we do it through the various finance spokespersons whereby individual constructive suggestions can be fed in and we deal with them individually in a Committee Stage type debate rather than a Second Stage debate, during which there are many interruptions. This is a positive suggestion on how we might do this. This House can play a real leadership role in bridging the communications gap with the public, and I urge that we do so.

With regard to the opinion poll, which I do not believe was done independently, I will support Senator Norris if he suggests that the Civil Partnership Bill should be decided by way of plebiscite and referendum.