Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

That does not answer the question. The Taoiseach negotiated this programme for Government with the parties in Government. He referred to the new article which would greatly strengthen the protection we afford children by permitting the carefully regulated exchange of information about suspected child abusers and by allowing the Oireachtas to introduce legislation which would make it impossible for those taking sexual advantage of children to claim the defence of honest mistake about the age of the victims. He also spoke of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and the need to ensure the remaining sections of the Children Acts are implemented in full without delay.

The Minister of State with responsibility for children is appointed by the Taoiseach and he sits at the Cabinet table. The Government is in control of what it decides to implement in respect of the programme for Government. I know the responses of the parties and the issues debated. The all-party Oireachtas committee did its work well.

As head of the Government, the Taoiseach has given a specific commitment on the holding of a referendum on children's rights. That is not a matter for the Minister of State with responsibility for children, as the Taoiseach, as head of the Government, negotiated this programme which is set down in black and white. This will not be denied by a global recession; we have held referenda before and we can hold another.

At this sensitive time, what is the view of the Government rather than just that of the Minister of State with responsibility for children? If the Taoiseach puts an issue to the Government, I am sure its members will comply.

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