In view of the commitment given by the Taoiseach to introduce legislation for a constitutional amendment this year, would he agree that at least as important, in view of this amendment to the Constitution, are other aspects such as the study of sex education in schools, the provision for unmarried mothers, legislation to abolish illegitimacy and reviewing family planning legislation in this area? It seems that to undertake a specific commitment this year on a constitutional amendment of the kind we are discussing without urgent attention to those areas is putting the cart before the horse.

These are matters which the Deputy may press as she thinks fit in this House as our business proceeds, but this other is a specific electoral undertaking by me and my party which we feel we are in honour bound to implement.

Are we to accept that there is no proposed action in any of these areas?

This is a constitutional referendum by us but it is not mutually exclusive of any other issue which the Deputy may wish to raise at any time in the House, but most of the things she has raised would not involve constitutional amendments.