Taoiseach Brian Cowen today declined to say if the Government would hold the proposed referendum on children’s rights.
“We may have a referendum. It is a matter that is receiving attention and is being dealt with on an inter-departmental basis,” he told the Dáil.
Mr Cowen was replying to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who asked what the Attorney General’s assessment was of the agreed wording put forward by the all-party Oireachtas committee last February.
The Taoiseach said the matter was subject to Cabinet and committee discussions.
However, there were issues arising, such as the possible unforeseen consequences of some of the wording and how that might result in legislative changes or have financial implications. “That all has to be examined so we can come forward with a wording that meets the requirements of the situation and can be properly implemented, if agreed to, and subsequently ratified by the people,” said Mr Cowen.
He told Labour leader Eamon Gilmore that a new wording, taking account of the committee’s proposals, with the policy support being provided by the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs, was currently being considered.
Mr Kenny asked the Taoiseach “to hazard a guess” as to whether any referendum could be held in the Government’s lifetime.
Mr Cowen replied: “On the basis that the Government would run the full term to May 2012, I do not see any reason why not.’’
Mr Gilmore suggested that the Taoiseach had deferred holding the referendum because he did not want to hold the three byelections with it.
Denying that Mr Gilmore’s assertion was correct, the Taoiseach said the implications of the proposed wording had to be examined. He added that “a range of unintended policy and resource implications” had been identified.
