Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

The Minister's indication that the heads of the Bill to implement the Children First guidelines are expected to come before the Oireachtas committee in the coming weeks is welcome. Unfortunately, on the other three issues I raised - the appointment of additional social workers, the referendum on children's rights and the HSE's audit of the church dioceses - we have thus far seen only procrastination, confusion and indecision. The Minister and her party promised there would be a referendum on children's rights within the Government's first year in office, with an initial undertaking to hold it at the same time as the presidential election. That did not happen. On 16 February 2012 the Minister embarked on a public relations push and announced it would take place this year. However, last week in this Chamber the Taoiseach would not stand by that commitment and instead said there was no timeframe for the holding of a referendum. Yet the Minister was telling the media earlier today that it will take place this year. There is a great deal of indecision and confusion surrounding the matter.

It was announced in December 2010 that the HSE's national child protection audit would be published in the spring of 2011. Following her appointment to office, the Minister announced in July last year that it would be published in September. When I questioned her in early December about the lack of progress, she said it would be published in the spring. Today she is saying it will be done in May or June. The Minister will forgive me if I do not hold my breath in anticipation of a referendum in 2012 or the publication of the HSE audit in May or early June.

I ask the Minister to bring clarity to the matters I have raised. The State must take its responsibilities seriously. It is not acceptable for the Government to continue pushing back dates unnecessarily and offering timelines to which it does not adhere.

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