Guím beannachtaí na Nollag agus athbhliain fé mhaise ar an Tánaiste agus ar mo chomhghleacaithe sa Teach seo agus sa Seanad.

I wish the Tánaiste and her colleagues in this House and the Upper House and their families every good wish for Christmas and the New Year. While we disagree on many things in this Chamber, the one thing we are agreed on is that we are very fortunate in this House to have staff of such excellence across all sections of the complex. I thank them for their work in 2014 and wish them health and happiness for Christmas and the New Year.

The Tánaiste referred earlier to referendums next year. Can she confirm whether it is the Government's intention to pass the children and family relationships Bill prior to May and the proposed referendum on marriage? Will she also say whether it is the Government's intention to hold a referendum during 2015 on our commitments with regard to the Unified Patent Court?

Ba mhaith liom Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise a ghuí ar gach duine anseo agus in Éirinn. As well as wishing Members a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year, I would like to extend our best wishes and thanks both to the Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle, as well as all the staff who work in the House and serve its Members so very well. I wish the best to them and their families at Christmas and for the new year.

My understanding is that work on the children and family relationships Bill is extremely well advanced. It is anticipated that it will be introduced early in the new year and will be completed prior to the holding of the referendum in respect of marriage equality.

The Government has not made a decision on the referendum on the establishment of a patent court.