Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a full list of the children's advocacy groups she has met since her appointment in relation to the introduction of the amendment to the Constitution on children. [19832/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Since my Ministerial appointment on Wednesday, 9th March and up to 12th July 2011, I have met 5 agencies that fall into the category identified by the Deputy. During the course of these meetings the issue of the Referendum for Children, among other things, was discussed.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions taken by her to progress the introduction of the amendment to the Constitution on children. [19831/11]

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. On taking office I instructed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) to work with the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to preparing a draft wording which will more closely reflect the work of the Joint Committee, than that which the previous Government approved in draft form.

Accordingly the preparation of a draft wording is being undertaken by Parliamentary Counsel in association with the Advisory Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General and Officials in my Department. I would hope to be in a position to submit the outcome of this work to Government for approval in the Autumn. It is envisaged that Government will be asked to approve the drafting of a bill based on the wording submitted and to request the approval of the Oireachtas for the holding of a Constitutional referendum. I look forward to the debate among political and civic leaders and the wider public about the place of children within our society further raising societal awareness of the interests of children.