Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yes. I will not pursue it any further, but I will say something. Daniel McAnaspie's young body was found in tragic circumstances. Will the Tánaiste clarify whether there will be a children's rights referendum in 2010? The Minister of State with responsibility for children is sitting behind her. He has been allocated €3 million for the holding of a referendum. The all-party committee has done its work and recommended a wording and no secret process is being conducted by the Minister of State. We are entitled to be told whether the Government intends to hold a children's referendum in 2010. In light of this latest tragic incident, the Government should at least be able to say it intends to hold a children's referendum in the 2010 calendar year. This would give the Minister of State and the Government plenty of scope to deal with the process, the report of the all-party committee, the agreed wording of the referendum and the requisite Bill. Will the Tánaiste tell the House whether there will be a children's rights referendum in 2010 or are we to continue this dialogue interminably with no answers coming from the Government?

See this speech in context