Later today, the Dáil will debate a Fine Gael Party Private Members' Bill, the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill 2016, which proposes to reduce the waiting time for divorce from four to two years. Unusually, this welcome Bill, which my party will support, will be taken in Government time. In the event that it is passed, is a referendum on the matter envisaged and, if so, when will it be held?

If the Bill is passed in the Dáil and subsequently in the Seanad, there would have to be a referendum on it. However, I am not in a position to set a date for a referendum today. As the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of issues on which referendums will be required in the period ahead. Dates for these referendums have not yet been scheduled. The Bill is progressive and welcome and if passed by the Houses, it will be necessary to have a referendum on it.