Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

No, I do not. That would be the worst of all worlds. I would like if we can agree it and still get it done within the timescale, but if we agree it and cannot get it done within the timescale that would also be an achievement. There are a number of areas involved, some of which should not create great difficulties. The rights of all children are to be recognised and affirmed. Power is to be granted for the State to intervene in respect of all children in all families. Issues remain to be resolved about children who, in the long term, may be adopted after a defined period. Children may be voluntarily placed for adoption. At present, a married couple may not voluntarily place a child for adoption. Difficulties remain around that issue. A new section relates to the fact that a child's best interests are to be secured in certain private proceedings concerning adoption and guardianship. Most of these issues will not create difficulties.

I do not foresee the legal difficulties of any party advisers as being impossible to overcome either. I do not consider the issue of reversing the decision on the CC case will present a difficulty. There may be one or two areas. We will make the wording available and if the parties can engage, complete discussions and agree on it, we can have a referendum. The political groups do not present problems as such; it is the Children's Rights Alliance and the faith-based organisations which would like to deal with this issue that have differences of opinions but this will always be the case. If we can deal with it, we will do so, if not, we cannot do so. I ask parties to try. I will not engage in a row about it. If we cannot do it, we will return to it.

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