Referendum to be held 'before election'

The Government will hold a referendum on children’s rights before the General Election if cross-party support is secured, Tánaiste Michael McDowell said today.

Opposition TDs have claimed that the Coalition may be trying to defer the controversial issue until after polling day, expected in May.

But Mr McDowell, representing the Taoiseach during the Order of Business in the Dail, confirmed the referendum would go ahead if Dail parties agreed on the wording.

He said: “If there is all-party agreement on this matter, it will happen quicker than if there isn’t agreement. We will be interested to see the response.”

He added: "It is the Government’s intention to proceed with the amendments before the election if we can do so."

The Tánaiste was responding to Labour’s justice spokesman Brendan Howlin, who sought clarity on when the referendum would be held.