Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

In light of the Government's inability to make a decision on when it will run the fiscal compact treaty referendum, whether before the summer or in the autumn, where does that leave the position regarding the introduction of legislation for and the running of the referendum on children's rights? If the fiscal compact treaty referendum is held after the summer, I imagine it would be in late September or October. I doubt, in that scenario, that the Government would hold two separate referendums in the autumn. Does this mean that despite repeated promises, the children's referendum will once again be delayed by a further year? Where does the Government's inability to decide on a date for the referendum on the fiscal compact treaty leave the decision regarding a date for the children's rights referendum?

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