I welcome the Tánaiste's comments over the weekend confirming that there would be a referendum on same-sex marriage and I understand that referendum may take place in 2014. I was personally disappointed that when the initial findings of the Constitutional Convention went to Cabinet, same-sex marriage was not one of the first items of business arising from the convention to be dealt with, in spite of support from an overwhelming majority at the convention. I welcome the commitment to it now.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate early in the new session in September on the Constitutional Convention. I wholeheartedly support the proposal to invite the chairman of the convention, Tom Arnold, to come before the Seanad to answer Senators' questions on the workings of the convention.