Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Our experience last year of holding two referenda on the same day as the Presidential election, raised issues around the availability of information to allow people understand the issues at hand. Like everyone else, I, too, am concerned about child protection. As Deputy Martin will be aware, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is doing a great deal of work on the mandatory requirement to report, the incorporation into legislation of the children first guidelines and on the proposed referendum on children's rights. My preference would be to hold this referendum in the autumn. However, the Bill is not yet ready owing to the complexity of work involved. I will keep the House updated on this matter. I do not believe it would be possible to hold the referendum on children's rights alongside another referendum. It should be held on its own. There is only room for the holding of one referendum in the autumn and, if one is to be held, it will be the referendum on children's rights.

On the abolition of the Seanad, I have done a great deal of work on this issue and will bring that legislation before the House in due course, at which time a decision will be taken, which will have taken the views of all Members into account, on when that referendum should be held.

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