Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

A decision cannot be made in the absence of a document. The Attorney General cannot make a decision until he has examined the final document.

We are anxious to move on the issue of children's rights. Much work has been done. The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brendan Smith, is anxious to have the all-party Oireachtas committee re-established as a joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas rather than as an informal ad hoc committee. It makes sense that the committee should enjoy the same support and backup enjoyed by other committees. There is no reason it should be outside the normal committee system. I am anxious that this be done as soon as possible. The Whips will be discussing these issues shortly.

In regard to building land, it is the view that this could be done by way of legislation. I understand the possibility of introducing legislation is being examined.

I am not aware of any legislation in regard to the courts. There is a need to reform the courts system in the context of cases that fall outside it. I have no information that this requires a constitutional referendum.

On the Deputy's last question regarding constitutional change which would extend the protection of the Constitution to cohabiting heterosexual or same sex couples, it is clear that it will be necessary to examine this issue in the context of legislative provision. That is what is happening. We had two reports last year, one from the Law Reform Commission and another from the Colley Group. Both have been examined within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the past six months. I understand from the Minister that a memorandum will be brought to the Government next month for it to make a decision with a view to progressing the matter in line with what was outlined earlier this year.

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