Significant changes to a proposed wording for a children's rights referendum are expected before next week's Cabinet meeting.
Though no final decisions have been made, it is understood that a reference to parents having "the primary duty" to vindicate "the natural and imprescriptible rights of the child" will be dropped. In addition, the Government is likely to strengthen another section to ensure that judges place the rights of children first when they are dealing with private custody cases.
The wording has not yet been shared with the Opposition, though Taoiseach Bertie Ahern insisted that they would see it next week. In the Dáil, he said he wanted a referendum held before the election, though he would very reluctantly accept that it should be held on polling day if all other parties believed this to be the best course.
However, he repeatedly emphasised, during questions from Opposition party leaders in the Dáil, that he wanted all-party agreement.
The Cabinet yesterday discussed a proposed wording drawn up by the Minister of State for Children, Brian Lenihan, and the Attorney General, Rory Brady.
Further work will be carried out this week before the text goes back to the Cabinet. It will then be shown to the Opposition and subsequently published.
In the Dáil the Taoiseach said the Government would be in a position to bring forward a Referendum Bill within a week. "There is no reason a vote cannot be held in early or late March. It is a question of whether agreement can be reached among the parties. I would not propose holding a referendum on the same day as a general election. That would not be a good idea," he told Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny.
Later, he said he would "not proceed in the absence of political agreement", though he said the Oireachtas would have to deal with strengthening children's rights sooner, rather than later.
"If it is not possible to get broad political agreement, then we will leave it until later," he later told Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte.
Though broadly supportive of the referendum plan, the Opposition has expressed fresh concern at the limited timeframe available to debate any proposed changes.
Fine Gael's justice spokesman, Jim O'Keeffe, said: "As every day goes by, the timetable gets tighter and tighter. I still haven't been given sight of a wording." Labour also warned against a rushed referendum, while the Green Party expressed unease over the lack of any express rights for children.
Most Opposition parties also signalled they would not be in favour of holding the referendum on the same day as the general election.
However, Sinn Féin, which is also supportive of the children's rights poll, says a referendum on election day would maximise turnout and save costs.