Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 11, inclusive, together.

The Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Constitution published its report relating to the family on 24 January 2006. The relevant Departments are considering its recommendations. The Government has acted on most of the key recommendations which have emanated from earlier reports of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. In all, this and the previous Government have brought forward ten referenda.

The Government will avail of appropriate opportunities to take forward further recommendations of the all-party committee. The complexities involved in holding a referendum require that careful consideration be given to the frequency with which referenda can realistically be held and the significance of the issues in question.

On 3 November 2006, I proposed a referendum on the place of children in our Constitution. I requested the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to initiate a process of consultation and discussion with the Dáil parties and all relevant interest groups. The purpose of the consultation was to achieve consensus on an appropriate wording for an amendment to the Constitution which would reflect the need to establish robust safeguards and protections for children.

Since my announcement, the Minister of State has been engaged in a series of discussions with political party representatives, the Ombudsman for Children, non-governmental organisations, represented by the Children's Rights Alliance, and faith-based groups. Two weeks ago, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, with the agreement of the Government, circulated a briefing document outlining the scope of the proposed amendment and subsequently met representatives of the political parties and relevant groups.

Following the Cabinet's discussion of the amendment last week, a further briefing document was circulated and further consultations took place. At its meeting this week, the Government approved the wording of the amendment. A Bill is now being drafted and will be published next week. In the meantime, the Minister of State awaits the Opposition's response to his second briefing document. As I have said all along, if we can achieve all-party agreement on this matter, I believe we should hold a referendum.

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