A number of members of the Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party yesterday complained to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, about the delay in producing the wording of an abortion referendum.
Raising the issue, Senator John Cregan said Fianna Fail canvassers would be criticised sharply by voters during the referendum campaign on the Nice Treaty and the other three issues.
"The one referendum that everybody is calling for is not there," said Mr Cregan, who was supported by the Taoiseach's brother, Mr Noel Ahern.
In reply, the Taoiseach said many parties, including prochoice campaigners, had made it clear that an abortion referendum should be held on its own. It was too difficult an issue to be dealt along with others.
He said the issue would be put to the people once the Cabinet sub-committee had finished its examination of the All-Party Constitutional Review Group's report.
He urged Fianna Fail politicians to become properly informed about the difficulties associated with the issue.
He said he knew his own opinion on the issue. However, he was sometimes not sure if the same could be said about other members of the parliamentary party or the public at large.
The party's TDs and senators should read the all-party report, particularly the contribution of church leaders and doctors, said Mr Ahern.
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