Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I too want to ask the Taoiseach about the rights of children because I understood him to say in his reply to Deputy Kenny's question that he does not intend to introduce any further amendments to the Constitution during the lifetime of this Government. Will the Taoiseach clarify that because all parties involved in the Oireachtas committee clearly agreed that an amendment to the Constitution should be put to the people with regard to a specific right for children? We may be required to under our international obligations under UN conventions. Can the Taoiseach be clear on the specific need to amend the Constitution in this regard?

Senator Norris has published a Bill on civil partnerships, which, I understand, has been examined by the Government. Does the Taoiseach intend to proceed with the Senator's Bill as a basis for introducing rights to civil partnerships?

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