Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

In my time in the Dáil we have not had a more accessible or conciliatory Taoiseach. Notwithstanding that, in the ten years, almost, in which Deputy Bertie Ahern has been Taoiseach, any time the Opposition has been invited to come on board, matters have never proved to be what they appeared. The Taoiseach is wrong to say that last summer the House was coming down. Last summer the Government was coming down. Presumably, the House would come down after it. There is no difficulty on this side of the House about the absolute zone of protection. To widen that, there is no problem on this side of the House about protecting or asserting the rights of our children.

Is it not the case that the omnibus referendum now being proposed is quite complex? Notwithstanding the support I suspect will be forthcoming from all sides of the House for the principle that is being sought to achieve, careful scrutiny and wide public debate and consultation is necessary before we embark on an enterprise as serious as amending our Constitution. It is very difficult to envisage how that can be allowed for between now and the end of March, given that we have not yet seen legislation. Presumably the Taoiseach and his Ministers will engage on the habitual flight of the earls around St. Patrick's Day and a week will be lost for that.

As regards consulting the Opposition, notwithstanding the conciliatory streak that runs in that wing of Fianna Fáil; the consultations have been minimalist. I wish to ask the Taoiseach in particular about the organisations he talked about which he met last June and July. Is it not the case that this was but a mote in the Taoiseach's eye last June and July? He needs to discuss with the organisations involved in children's rights and protection the specific amendment the Government now proposes to put forward. Will he say whether those organisations have been involved in the consultations regarding the wording?

I read in The Irish Times today that the Irish Council for Civil Liberties believes the proposals now being considered are seriously defective. Some of the children's organisations believe they fall far short of what it is they thought they were getting.

Why does the Taoiseach think it is necessary for us to rush this through by the end of March? Given the broad support from all sides of the House for the principle involved, we should take the time to ensure that we do it properly.

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