Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

That unfortunate and trite reply will do nothing to assuage the fears of Deputies here and an ever-growing body of interested observers as to the Government's intent on the back of the committee's recommendations. There can be no less awareness on the part of the Taoiseach than there is on ours that there is growing concern within non-governmental organisations dedicated to the service of children's rights and interests throughout the State. There is an imperative on him and the Government to show clearly that they hold common intent and that they are absolutely committed to carrying out the recommendations of the committee. That is not clear. The Taoiseach refers us to the revised Government programme, but the last one was not worth the paper on which it was written. Such a referral gives no assurance and does not assuage fears one iota.

The Taoiseach has the opportunity this morning to state firmly the Government's intention to hold a referendum on children's rights in the current year. We, with one voice across all the Opposition parties, ask him to do that. The Taoiseach is not doing it, which of itself raises all the serious questions other Deputies and other voices outside the House are raising. I will ask the question again for the last time. Will the Taoiseach confirm to the House that the Government is committed to holding a referendum on children's rights and will he hold that referendum in 2010?

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