The main change is that instead of the word "may", the word "shall" has been inserted. That is very important. It is a factual statement that something "shall be done". I am very pleased and I will campaign in any way I can on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and this House. The House will fully endorse the wording of the amendment and give leadership in the campaign.

I too welcome the setting of a date for the referendum and the fact that it is on a Saturday, for all the reasons that have already been mentioned. I also welcome the fact that Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have confirmed in the House today their support for the referendum and the proposed wording. One aspect of concern to me relates to the media. Because of the McKenna judgment, various media organisations must give 50% coverage to both sides of an argument. I hope that editorial discretion will be used in this instance so that an opportunity is not given to various nay-sayers or people who wish to raise their profiles in the media. The McKenna judgment would allow them a voice.

I hope RTE and other media organisations will use editorial discretion to ensure that this campaign does not give a voice to "No" campaigners whose main motivation is to raise their own profile.