Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to hold the proposed referendum on children's rights in 2012; the stage the new wording is at; if there is a team within her Department which has been assigned responsibility for the revised wording and subsequent planning for a referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16198/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2011 states that the referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Oireachtas Committee. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has commenced discussions with the Attorney General, with a view to preparing a draft wording which will more closely reflect the work of the Committee, than that which the previous government approved in draft form. Following these deliberations, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs intends to bring the matter to Government for approval to draft a bill and hold a referendum.

A small team within the Department is working on this issue. Arrangements for holding a referendum will be primarily a matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and staff from my Department will liaise with that Department as appropriate.

The Referendum will not take place on the same day as the presidential election as to do so may unnecessarily and unhelpfully politicise children's rights.