Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I join with each of the colleagues who have spoken in wishing everyone a deserved short break over the period ahead. I emphasise that because I concur with the point made by the Tánaiste. I know the limited opportunity for a break in real terms that I will enjoy. Across this House, we will all be working throughout the rest of this month and for much of the period until the Dáil resumes. I wish everyone in the Houses of the Oireachtas, the media, who were missed out so far, and everyone who contributes to the smooth running of this institution a pleasant and restful holiday.

I support Deputy Gilmore's proposal and I reiterate it now. A formula should be adopted to avoid having to come back on 29 September, as has been agreed by the House, and face the constant haranguing that is part of the daily performance with regard to matters not yet decided or progressed by the Government. We are speaking specifically about the promised referendum enshrining children's rights in the Constitution and the three outstanding by-elections in Donegal South-West, Dublin South and Waterford. We should recognise that much time has been taken up on these matters. No clarity has been provided and the Taoiseach's response on this point gives no certainty that these important excursions for the electorate will happen this year. It is the view of Sinn Féin that they should all happen.

The most important of those four opportunities to consult the electorate is the referendum on enshrining children's rights in the Constitution. An all-party committee recommendation was made on wording and this was not only a construction of elected representatives with varying degrees of legal abilities, it was backed up by the support of four counsel engaged by the committee over the period. There is considerable legal scrutiny of the work of the committee and the content of the third report and its recommendations, including the specific wording offered and signed off on by all parties. The Taoiseach made the point that he must go through this with a fine-tooth comb. Much work was done over 62 meetings and it was not a vague notion pulled out of the sky. The scrutiny employed by the elected representatives and the counsel engaged by the committee was considerable. It will be difficult to replicate even in the Office of the Attorney General. We hope there will be an early indication that these matters will be progressed. Deputy Gilmore's proposal that this be done and dusted before we resume on 29 September makes eminent sense and I formally support it.

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