Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I note the Taoiseach's response to the question on the children's referendum. The all-party Oireachtas committee on this matter did great work, which has been accepted across the board. However, while this matter has not been much of a priority in the recent past it now appears to have surfaced again as a real priority. Perhaps the Taoiseach will indicate the reason for the changes introduced by the Attorney General, which from a number of points of view, appear to render meaningless the intended impact, effect and consequence of the referendum. In view of the broad range of discussion that will be again required, does the Taoiseach agree it would not be practical, in the context of those discussions, the preparation of legislation and the seriously held views in regard to the ineffectiveness of what is now being proposed, to hold the referendum on the date it is proposed to hold the general election?

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