Alan Shatter
Ceist:6 Mr. Shatter asked the Taoiseach the name of the Minister responsible for addressing the issue of divorce and the proposal to hold a Constitutional referendum on Article 41.3.2º of the Constitution.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Divorce Issue.
The Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Taylor, is responsible for addressing this issue.
Will the Taoiseach give the House an assurance in the context of the public announcement made for the record of the House, that a divorce referendum will be held in spring 1994? Will he indicate whether both parties in Government will campaign during the course of such a referendum for a constitutional change?
That is a separate question. I fully subscribe to the timetable for spring 1994 at the earliest because there is a lot of other legislation to be put in place before a divorce referendum can be held.
I draw to the Taoiseach's attention that the Minister announced the referendum will be held in spring 1994? Is the Taoiseach now telling the House that that is the earliest time by which it will be held and that there is a possibility it may not be held until the autumn of 1994 or sometime in 1995 or 1996? Is the Taoiseach merely telling the House that spring 1994 is the earliest time the referendum will be held as opposed to giving an assurance that it will be held at that time?
What I am saying is that spring 1994 is a realistic forecast in relation to holding a referendum. If it can be held earlier so be it. It is not a question of long fingering the matter or putting it off; it is a question of having the necessary legislation in place before a referendum is held. That has been my position over the last 12 months.
Spring 1994 is the earliest? It is not the date.
If we get legislation through earlier the referendum will be held earlier.