Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

On 3 November 2006, I proposed a referendum on the place of children in the Constitution. I asked the then 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 then Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, engaged in a series of discussions with representatives of political parties, the Ombudsman for Children, non-governmental organisations — represented by the Children's Rights Alliance — and faith-based groups. The purpose of the consultation was to achieve consensus on an appropriate wording for a constitutional amendment that would reflect the need to establish robust safeguards and protections for children.

On the direction of the Government, proposals were brought to the Cabinet by the then Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, on a referendum to amend the Constitution in respect of children's rights. The Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the Constitution Bill 2007 was published on 19 February last. In line with the programme for Government, it is proposed to establish an all-party committee to examine the proposed constitutional amendment with a view to deepening the consensus on this matter further. It is envisaged that the Bill which has been published will provide a framework for the work of the committee.

A decision on whether a referendum will be held on the EU reform treaty will be taken on foot of the outcome of the current Intergovernmental Conference. I commented recently that I think it is likely that there will be a referendum on the treaty in 2008. The All-Party Committee on the Constitution published its report on the family on 24 January 2006. The relevant Departments are considering the report's recommendations. The Government has acted on most of the key recommendations which emanated from earlier reports of the all-party committee.

The two previous Governments introduced ten referendums. The Government will avail of appropriate opportunities to make progress with further recommendations of the all-party committee. The complexities involved in holding a referendum require that careful consideration must be given to the frequency with which referendums can realistically be held and the significance of the issues in question.

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