Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I suppose there is a limit to the number of ways we can put this question to the Taoiseach. Is the Government committed to holding a referendum on children's rights and is it committed to holding such a referendum in the current year? The response we received from the Tánaiste here last Thursday was that the matter has not been finalised by the Government yet and the Taoiseach has stated this morning that the issue is currently being considered. I asked the Taoiseach yesterday what was being considered. Can we have a firm response this morning that the Government is committed to holding a referendum on children's rights this year and that the only matters being addressed are the sign-off, hopefully, on the wording recommended by all parties in the House, the drafting of the referendum Bill and the preparations for a referendum commission? This consideration should not take a serious length of time, given the amount of work already invested in the committee's deliberations and the fact the Government parties were represented in that engagement and the current Minister with responsibility for children was an active attendee and participant for the greater part of the preparation and production of the third report of the committee recommending the referendum on children's rights.

We have indicated to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste time and again that there is growing concern and understandable impatience with regard to this referendum, particularly given the seriousness and import of what is involved, the backdrop to the particular commendation from the committee, the various reports and the exposure of the dreadful events that have gone on over many years in a variety of settings. These matters continue to threaten the safety of children in a variety of settings today We need to take the appropriate action to guarantee children's rights as an absolute imperative of the Constitution. I urge the Taoiseach to be more forthcoming and to be crystal clear in affirming the Government's commitment to holding a referendum on children's rights in the current year.

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