I understand from Senator O’Toole’s presentation that a sub-committee can only be formed by the committee itself and cannot be formed by the Oireachtas. Therefore, when the Oireachtas establishes a committee such as we have here, and if we are to have a sub-committee, under Standing Orders that sub-committee can only be formed by the committee.

We must find a solution to the Lisbon vote and the way we are going about it is the correct way to attempt to find that solution but I would not like to find, having gone to all that trouble, that we are acting ultra vires. Somebody may be able to confirm if that is correct but I understand that the correct procedure is that this committee must establish the sub-committee. Perhaps it is only a technical matter. We can do it much more quickly without having to go before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as I understand the Minister is due to speak to the Seanad this afternoon.

Deputy Dick Roche: I appreciate the point made. If some technicality arises it is one that can be addressed with the good will of this committee. Senator Quinn’s point is that we are now coming to 26:1 in terms of ratification. We are in a difficult place and we must first and foremost respect the wishes of the Irish people but the people have not expressed a wish to withdraw from the Union or to be in some secondary role. We must examine those issues and the committee will do valuable work on that. The Senator is right. If there is a technicality that needs to be addressed, it will be addressed. The reason we were anxious to come into the Dáil and the Seanad on this issue is to illustrate the importance we, as a Government, attach to the views of all sides in both Houses, including those Members who take a view different to mine. It is critically important that everybody, not just those who advocated a “Yes” vote but also those who advocated a “No” vote, play a role in solving this problem. I am grateful to Senator Quinn and to Senator O’Toole for raising the issue and as the Chairman said, any technical issue that needs addressing will be addressed.