Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The third and final report of the Joint Committee on Children and the Constitution, JCCAC, deals with the rights of children under the Constitution, and the statute and case law concerning adoption, guardianship, care proceedings, custody and access to children. It sets out a proposed wording for a constitutional amendment to strengthen the rights of children. As Deputies will be aware, the programme for Government states that 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. Work is under way in the Office of the Attorney General to develop a draft wording for consideration by me and my Government colleagues. The previous Attorney General identified certain unintended consequences attaching to the joint committee's wording. The development of a revised wording will seek to resolve these issues while staying as close as possible to the joint committee wording. On receipt of a draft wording it is my intention to consult with other Departments and seek approval from Government for the proposed wording, with a view to holding the referendum next year.

See this speech in context