Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to see Deputy Gilmore in such great form today. For the record, I have outlined three areas where a referendum could have been considered. As I have already said, we are taking the legislative route on two of the interim reports we have on children's rights. We will have a third report next week, which I am told by a member of the committee has a unanimous view regarding a referendum. The Government will consider that and take account of those recommendations. No decision has been made as to when that would arise if we were to proceed along that route.

As regards the second matter, the programme for Government says we would consider broadening the reference to the role of women in the home, in Article 41.2, to one which recognises the role the parent in the home. Consideration has been given to that matter, but no decisions have been taken either on substance or date.

With regard to the establishment of a court of civil appeal, a working group produced a detailed report on that issue. Any decision by the Government on the question of a referendum will be on the basis of a necessary examination of the details. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is advancing that as quickly as possible.

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