Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The programme for Government 2011 states the referendum on children's rights is a priority and that the wording will be along the lines of that proposed by the Joint Committee on the Constitution, of which Deputy Ó Caoláin was a member. On taking office I instructed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to work with the Office of the Attorney General with a view to preparing a draft wording which will more closely reflect the work of the committee than that which the previous Government approved in draft form.

Accordingly, the preparation of a draft wording is being undertaken by the Parliamentary Counsel in association with the advisory counsel in the Office of the Attorney General and officials in my Department. I hope to be in a position to submit the outcome of this work to the Government for approval in the autumn. It is envisaged the Government will be asked to approve the drafting of a Bill based on the wording submitted and to request the approval of the Oireachtas for the holding of a constitutional referendum. I look forward, in particular, to the debate among political and civic leaders and the wider public about the place of children in our society, further raising awareness of the interests of children.

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