Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In response to questions regarding the proposed children's rights referendum, the Taoiseach stated that the Minister and Attorney General were considering the matter. Will the Taoiseach please clarify what it is they are considering? Will he relieve the concern of people about whether they are considering the issue for referendum at all? Surely it is accepted this is a referendum - an all-party agreement already existing in committee - that must proceed. Will the Taoiseach clarify that the only consideration the Minister and Attorney General are giving relates to a possible date and the appointment of a referendum commission? It is important that a distinction is made and that there is clarity on what is being considered, because there is growing concern, not only within this Chamber, but externally among a raft of people in non-governmental organisations who are keenly interested in the children's rights referendum proceeding. The answers the Taoiseach gives do not in any way assuage that growing fear, so I urge him to take this opportunity to make the situation absolutely clear.

On promised legislation, the Ceann Comhairle would not allow me press the situation vis-À-vis time being afforded to address the report just published by the Ombudsman for Children on the implementation of Children First, the national guidelines on the protection and welfare of children.

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