THE Government has no proposals to change the Official Secrets Act, nor does it plan to hold a referendum on votes for emigrants this year, the Taoiseach said.

Mr Bruton, who was replying to Mr Michael Kitt (FF, Galway East), said that the Government was committed to initiating a constitution amendment bill on cabinet confidentiality, and work was proceeding on the drafting.

Mr Kitt said there had been media reports that the Government had looked for formal advice concerning the holding of a referendum, a general election and a possible presidential election on the same date.

"There is no particular significance in any advice we may have received on any of the matters referred to by the deputy," Mr Bruton said.