The Government will hold its proposed constitutional referendum on children's rights before the general election "if possible", Tánaiste Michael McDowell told the Dáil yesterday.
Pressed by Opposition deputies to give a definitive answer, Mr McDowell said the Government intended dealing with the matter as quickly as possible.
"If there is all-party agreement on this issue, it will happen much faster than if there is not. This is how things happen in the House."
Labour's justice spokesman Brendan Howlin said Minister for Children Brian Lenihan had briefed Opposition representatives on Government thinking on Wednesday night. Although a briefing document had been circulated, obviously the representatives must see the specific wording, he said. Mr Howlin said he understood there were five separate proposals, which constituted a considerable block of words to be inserted in the Constitution.
Mr McDowell said that, first, the Government was anxious to receive the general response of the Opposition parties and other interested stakeholders. "It will be greatly interesting to see the Opposition's response to the briefing received last night." Mr McDowell said that all legislation to amend the Constitution must pass through both Houses of the Oireachtas. Subsequently, a period must elapse before it can be put before the people.
"It is a well defined process. There is also the question of the establishment of a commission to provide independent guidance to people in respect of the contents of the legislation."
