Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I am not initiating a debate, I am trying to find out the whereabouts of promised legislation, as I am entitled to do.

The Government has promised a referendum on the rights of children and a wording has been agreed on an all-party basis. The Tánaiste said the Minister of State has been asked to prepare the necessary requirements. The necessary requirement for a referendum is a Bill that is introduced to the House that approves the wording that has been agreed and then the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government sets the date. What is the Minister of State being asked to do? There is a template for this legislation, it is cut and paste. We have had legislation for constitutional amendments before, the Parliamentary Counsel could do this in his sleep. What is the problem?

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