Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the definition of the best interests of the child as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is to be included in the wording of the Children's Rights Referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33570/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2011 - 2016 states that the Referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording of the proposed referendum will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children (JCCAC).

Following taking office as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, both myself and officials of my Department have engaged extensively with the Attorney General and her officials to formulate a draft wording for the proposed constitutional amendment. Contact in that regard is ongoing and, as part of normal process, will involve consultations across the relevant departments in advance of presentation of a proposed wording to Government for approval.

In developing a draft wording, cognisance is being taken of a range of experience and standards relating to children's rights. However, until the wording is finalised and approved by Government, it would not be appropriate to refer to any aspect of possible content.

The Government has decided that the referendum will take place later this year and will be held on a standalone basis. The significant work currently underway is geared towards this timeline and objective.