Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her strategy for communicating with the public in advance of the running of the proposed children's referendum in order to ensure its success in view of the experience of the recent referendum on Oireachtas inquiries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34135/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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A draft wording on the proposed Amendment to the Constitution in respect of Children is currently being prepared by the Office of the Attorney General. I will need to seek approval from Government for the proposed wording in due course, with a view to holding the referendum next year.

I am very conscious of the complex nature of the proposed referendum and the need, in any referendum process, to bring the utmost clarity in any proposal being brought forward for the consideration of the people. In this regard, the important role of the Referendum Commission must be acknowledged and it is vital that the proposal brought is sufficiently well developed for the Commission to advise the people on its intent and implications.

Between these two processes, it is my firm intention to keep all lines of communication open with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that all emerging questions or ambiguities are fully anticipated. These will be dealt with, to the greatest extent possible, in the wording itself or as part of the accompanying legislative outlines also under consideration.