Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the second point, I am not aware there is any connection between those two issues. The Deputy had better ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about the Inland Fisheries Bill. The person to whom Deputy Kenny referred, who appeared before a committee, indicated subsequently that he was not opposed to the policy but that he was just giving some views on how it was developing. Having been involved in many of the discussions that took place on how we would deal with the situation, he recognised the agency would be important in that respect.

To come back to the point regarding the first series of questions Deputy Kenny asked, as I said the heads of the Bill are being prepared and it will be dealt with as a priority issue. It is a complex area. It was not a question of the Bill simply being delayed. It was discussed in an all-party committee context to see whether the issue would be dealt with through a constitutional referendum or through legislation. It is an important issue, which has again been highlighted as important to proceed with. The Government will proceed with the Bill and I do not think anyone would question the commitment of the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, to move these issues forward as quickly as possible.

The question of a referendum on children's rights is a matter the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, is considering and has been examined by previous Administrations. It is a matter to which we can give consideration but the immediate priority has to be the legislative proposals to which the Deputy referred.

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