Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Deputies are asking me to anticipate work that is ongoing and to give a timeline for it. In relation to how the Deputy has portrayed what the Minister of State for children had to say, the Minister of State made the point - it is not a criticism, but a statement of fact - that the committee took two years and three months to reach its final conclusions. The Government is not asking or suggesting that such time is required to come to a conclusion. However, it is important to complete our work in a thorough fashion. The Government does not want to recommend amending the Constitution by way of a Bill that is flawed or may have unintended consequences. He then went on to state, "Having urged caution, I am not suggesting that this be put on the long finger". This is the position. There is work ongoing in relation to that matter. The Minister of State is conducting that work and the Attorney General obviously will be involved as well. We will have to consider it with the working Ministers concerned and then have it considered by Cabinet.

I will not anticipate the outcome of those discussions, but I have said at all times that I commend the committee on the work it has done. It obviously gave detailed consideration to these matters and took that time in which to do so. I am not suggesting a similar time should be available to the Government because, obviously, the work has been substantive, but there is work for the Government to do in terms of taking responsibility for a Bill to come to the House that proposes an amendment to the Constitution that does not have unintended consequences. That is an issue upon which the Government awaits full advice, etc. from legal and other officers.

In relation to the other matter, the other Bill is in preparation and will be brought to the House in due course.

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