Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I explained to Deputy Kenny in my previous reply the process by which the Government will arrive at decisions in these matters and the detail it wishes to provide in that respect. The rights of children and the family are interacting considerations and the fundamental laws of our State protect the rights of children. The great tragedy of the Ryan report on institutional childhood abuse is that it sets out graphically in great detail the great failure by the State to protect children in this instance. Those affected sought to have their voice heard for some time. I am glad my predecessor, Deputy Bertie Ahern, gave a full and unequivocal apology to them. Arising out of that, a redress scheme and other issues were put in place to assist them and ensure the State took responsibility for its part in that systems failure.

Regarding a referendum on children's rights, as I have said what is outlined in the programme for Government sets out the Government's objective in this area. The question as to how and in what way we would proceed is a matter for detailed discussions by the Government. The Ryan report provides us with a series of recommendations which we intend to discuss at our special meeting this evening.

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