Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

The Minister points out a lot of work had been done and that Fianna Fáil committed to doing this. She should acknowledge that the all-party Oireachtas committee published a final report and suggested a draft wording for a referendum in 2010. When she was in opposition, she pushed hard to have a date set and has given commitments up until now. It is important that we get this right, which will be difficult. However, when the Minister and her party make such a big issue of selecting new dates, they should not be surprised when they are asked if they are going to stick to them. She says the Cabinet has not finalised the date but that it is committed to holding the referendum in 2012. Will she give an assurance that the adoption legislation required will be finalised before the summer recess?

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