There is some speculation as to whether the polling day for the upcoming referenda and presidential election will be either 25 October or 26 October this year. I also understand there are many potential candidates deeply exercised about the timeframe they have to be nominated. The Dáil is due to return on 18 September. Has the Government given any thought to making an order for polling day under the Presidential Elections Act 1993 and an order for the day of close of nominations? Under section 8 of the same Act, in the event of the Dáil being dissolved after the presidential election order is signed, it is possible to combine both dates.

I am not sure if everybody else followed that. I was trying to and I got approximately two thirds of the way through. I do not have a final date that has been signed off by the Government for the presidential election. It would be the same day we intend to hold two referendums. It will be towards the end of October, I suspect, but I do not yet have an exact date as it has not been finalised by the Government.