Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I thank the Taoiseach for offering to consult both Fine Gael and the Labour Party on the referendum on children and the possible decoupling of the two elements of that referendum. We will be glad to participate in those discussions. Deputy Howlin is already on record on the matter. Do I understand the Taoiseach correctly that the plan is to either have the European referendum on its own or to hold that referendum along with the issue relating to the sexual exposure of children, the age of consent and that dimension of the children's issue?

What consideration has been given to an approximate date for the referendum? It is important that we have a time scale for the referendum. There was a suggestion by one Minister — I do not know whether it was intentional — that there was a possibility the European referendum would not be held until the autumn. When is it intended to establish the referendum commission? Is it intended that the referendum commission will publish information on the treaty? There appears to be a lack of information on the treaty among the public and there is a hunger for that information. When is it intended to publish the White Paper on the treaty?

I also have questions on the long-term residential care services legislation, dealing with nursing home payments. The Government did not publish that Bill prior to Christmas to allow for consultation with the organisations representing the elderly. I am told those consultations have not taken place. When will they take place? When is the Bill likely to be published?

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