Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I have listened to the views of Deputy Kenny, Leader of the Opposition, on this issue. Last year the House was coming down over issues with which we had to deal, and it was suggested that we should not go into recess in the summer until they were dealt with. That is the view I heard from all sides. I was strongly criticised because I went to an international forum — I was the only member in Europe to be invited — and it was argued I should not have gone before dealing with the substantive issue in a legislative and constitutional way. Since then, I have met all the relevant groups, that is, in June, July and September, and I designated the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to deal with the comprehensive issue. A large number of groups was involved in the process, including legal groups, religious groups of all denominations and medical and sociological groups dealing with children and other issues. We came to a view in October, which I aired, and there has since been considerable engagement by a range of groups, including NGOs, educationalists, sociologists and others, all of which have had meetings with the Minister of State over the past three months and longer.

I take the point that Deputy Jim O'Keeffe and others need time and that is why I said what I said. I do not expect them to make up their minds on the basis of one meeting — I am not asking any spokesperson to do that.

If we do not deal with this issue, it will not be the end of the world, but we should try to deal with it. Deputy Kenny is totally right that unforeseen issues can always arise dealing with such issues. One can take it that as soon as one decides to hold a constitutional referendum — I have had this debate for ten years with Deputy Jim O'Keeffe — the all-party committee issues a report, which then enters the system for consideration. We sometimes change the views in the all-party committee's report and deal with the matter on a legislative basis. It then proceeds to be dealt with on some other basis. It is not at all irregular that we do not agree with the view of the all-party committee, although it does a good job in bringing issues to the fore in the way it does.

Groups on all sides say we should deal with this issue. Although there seems to be no controversial issue involved in this, I have never seen a referendum issue unopposed. If there is nothing to oppose in the referendum, something will be invented, and we can be certain of that. I can almost see where that is coming from already.

I am not trying to enforce action on this initiative, but it is an outstanding issue that we need to deal with. It has been pointed out to me by all the bodies in their submissions to the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, that we should deal with this matter. I have a view as to whether it should be dealt with by one or more questions, but I will not press my view on it. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in his consultations with the various parties can work out a consensus in this regard. If it is not dealt with in April we will have to deal with it later. The House is aware of the ramifications, which mean we cannot put it on the long finger because it will resurface in a range of other forms. I think we will have no problem in dealing with it before the Dáil ends, but if that cannot be done, so be it. The House should come to a view on the issue. I will not proceed in the absence of political agreement. That would not be wise, but the Government side is ready to proceed.

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