Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

My questions are very much in the same vein as those of Deputy Gilmore. The first two questions he asked are straightforward. Will the Taoiseach clarify whether the referendum Bill on the Lisbon treaty will be published before Easter? Does he intend naming the date for the referendum this week? He must give a clear indication so that the debate can take place.

In regard to Deputy Gilmore's third question on the proposed constitutional amendment on children's rights, will the Taoiseach advise the House whether a final determination has been made to reject the idea of what was described as decoupling one particular area out of the broad raft of issues concerning children's rights? Is the Government determined to go ahead with a single constitutional referendum on children's rights? When does the Taoiseach envisage the Bill will be published? I am aware the deliberations on it are ongoing and that an extension of time has been sought by the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children, but will the Taoiseach give us some indication? Is he looking at the end of this year or will it be 2009 or, as indicated in previous responses here, given that it cannot now take place in tandem with the Lisbon treaty referendum, does he foresee it being held back even further?

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