The Government has committed to a referendum on marriage equality. Yesterday, we learned the mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, will not take part in the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade this year because of the organisers’ prohibition on pro-gay rights expression.

We do not deal with parades on the Order of Business.

In the context of the upcoming marriage referendum and in his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, will the Tánaiste comment on the mayor’s decision? Will he be meeting with-----

If he has, he will not be making it now on the Order of Business.

-----the organisers of the parade to address their bigoted attitude to LGBT rights in a global city? For this referendum to have credibility, this needs to be addressed on our national holiday.

Deputy, please resume your seat. It is not a matter for the Order of Business.

It has to do with the upcoming referendum on marriage equality and I invite the Tánaiste to comment on it.

No, he will not comment on this on the Order of Business. The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question or something of that nature and then it can be considered.