Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I will try to be balanced in my response in support of the proposal to amend the Order of Business made by Senator Darragh O'Brien. It is my experience in various constituencies that 80% of people do not know what the referendum on increasing the powers of the Oireachtas is about. The referendum on judges' pay is fairly clear. While it is easy to blame the Referendum Commission for the confusion surrounding the second referendum, it would be unfair to do so given that the commission was given minimum notice. The referendum has been rushed. As a former Chairman of two Oireachtas committees and someone who was involved in the Abbeylara sub-committee and a second, similar sub-committee, I support the proposal of providing additional powers for Oireachtas committees. Nevertheless, members of the public are not aware of the issues on which they will vote and while most of them are ignorant of the merits and salient features of the proposal, they are aware of its demerits. At best, they are confused and many of them accept that the issue is a confusing one.

I suggested previously in respect of a proposed referendum on children's rights that referendums on serious matters should be held on their own. I am not being political when I say it is a mistake that the referendum on Oireachtas committees is being held on the same day as the presidential vote. The presidential campaign by seven individuals has so focused public and media attention that they have lost sight of the real issue, which is my concern. Leaving the emotions and the politics aside, it might be a good thing for the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, or another Minister to attend this House to allay the fears of the public, because there are serious concerns. The amendment which proposes to increase the powers of Oireachtas committees is only a sideshow to the presidential campaign.