Referendum commission chair
Micheál Martin asks that the Referendum Commission chair be announced in the Dáil; the Taoiseach defends his approach, with brief exchanges about political consistency.
I can assure the Taoiseach that Fianna Fáil Members will be constructive in our consideration of the referendum issue. Obviously, the party will look at the wording.
I do not want to be too pernickety, but I suggest that the name of the chairperson of the Referendum Commission should be announced to the House. That would be more appropriate protocol than to announce it outside the House. It is not a big deal, but the Taoiseach should announce to the House who the chairperson is. The House is central to the holding of a referendum.
Comment on this
I would leave it to the Minister. I chose to announce to the Dáil yesterday that the Government had decided on the wording of the amendment and that the referendum date would be 10 November. I did that out of courtesy. I intend to continue to make announcements of that nature here.
Comment on this
Deputy Martin must have come to that conclusion lately.
Comment on this
When he was in opposition, the Taoiseach was a great advocate of what I propose.