asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to hold talks with the leaders of other political parties to discuss the full constitutional implications of the recent Supreme Court judgment on the Single European Act for other international treaties.

The Departments concerned are examining, with the Attorney General, the complex issues raised in the Deputy's question. When the examination has been completed, I will be in touch with the leaders of the other political parties in the House.

Is the Taoiseach aware that, in the course of the debate on the Single European Act, the Tánaiste informed the House that there was an urgent examination in particular of the constitutional implications of the Anglo-Irish Agreement and that it was anticipated that because of its importance that examination would be concluded fairly quickly? Has it now been concluded and, if so, what is the result of it?

The examination is urgently under way. It has not yet been concluded. In relation to all of the issues which arise out of the Supreme Court judgment on the Single European Act all the fall-out implications are being included in that examination and, as I undertook to the House, when that examination has been concluded I will be glad to talk to the political parties in the House about what course of action might recommend itself to us arising out of that examination.

Are all the treaties being examined simultaneously or is priority being given to some of the more obviously urgent ones like the Anglo-Irish Agreement?

The whole situation is being examined in its entirety.

When is it anticipated that this will be completed?

I cannot say, but I will let the Deputy and the leaders of the other parties know when it has been completed.

If it appears possible that a further referendum is necessary does the Taoiseach anticipate holding that before the end of the year?

I do not want to pre-empt any decision of that kind.

Does the Taoiseach not recall that during the debate on the referendum Bill he indicated that these discussions and considerations would take place during the summer, immediately after the referendum? In the light of the debate we had in this House on the referendum Bill and of the public debate that has taken place since, and which, I am glad to say, with a major input from my party has concluded successfully, would the Taoiseach not agree that it is urgent that this matter be dealt with immediately? As all of the questions that arise have been clarified and put before the public, is it not now up to us in this House to take the necessary steps in that regard?

In a statement which I will be issuing this afternoon on the outcome of the referendum I will be acknowledging gladly the contributions which particular political parties in this House made to the successful outcome of the referendum.

They will not include Fianna Fáil.

The Deputy need not worry about that. The referendum we have had and the effort it caused to all the political parties in this House was made necessary by the mishandling of the Single European Act, in particular by Deputy Peter Barry as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

That will not wash.

I suggest to all the Deputies who are offering that there is absolutely no need for anybody to become excited about this matter. I gave an undertaking to the House that these matters would be urgently examined and that when that examination was completed I would be in touch with the leaders of the political parties. I think that is a very constructive way for the Government to approach this issue. It is in sharp contradiction to precedents set on previous occasions.