There appeared to be differences between the Coalition partners last night surrounding the holding of the proposed abortion referendum.
The Progressive Democrats have said they do not want to set a date for the referendum unless they are confident of success.
However Fianna Fβil is determined the legislation covering the proposals will be passed through the Oireachtas by Christmas, which would allow for the Minister for the Environment to sign an order setting the date.
The apparent differences emerged after the Tβnaiste Ms Harney said in the Dβil yesterday that the Government had not decided when the proposed referendum would take place. However the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said last week it was likely to be held before the end of February.
Ms Harney said it would not be wise to proceed to hold a referendum if there was not consensus on the issue. Just prior to that she said that the Government had decided to put forward legislation that would be put to the people in a referendum.
Asked later to comment on Ms Harney's remarks her spokesman said: "I don't believe the Government would enter into a referendum process with a proposal they didn't believe was going to get passed. What we are keen to avoid here is a repetition of the N ice Treaty debacle. There were lessons to be learned there. You can't take people for granted on this issue," he said, adding that the Dβil debate needed to be open-ended.
Asked if there would be an abortion referendum before a General Election, he said: "I presume there will be, its contingent on the Bill going through the House."
Ms Harney said yesterday she looked forward to hearing the Fine Gael party's position on the proposals.