Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As there is less than one month to the referendum on children's rights, I call on all Members to get out and promote it and ensure the passage of the most important referendum the country will deal with for many years to come. It will help to safeguard children, support families and ensure that some of the awful atrocities that happened to young children in the past will never happen again. That voting takes place on a Saturday affords an opportunity to many who, heretofore, may not have had the opportunity to vote mid-week, particularly students who return to constituencies at weekends. Another issue that must be addressed is those who are not registered to vote. During the general election many people who should have been registered discovered when they arrived at polling stations that they were not registered. They have until 23 October to get themselves on the supplementary register. We should spread that message to ensure a large turnout and a resounding "Yes" vote in order to safeguard and protect the children of Ireland. As public representatives it is incumbent on us to play our part in the next four weeks to ensure the referendum is passed.