Andrews: We have not abandoned child referendum

The Minister for Children is rejecting Fine Gael's claims that the Government has secretly decided to abandon the possibility of a children's referendum.

Fine Gael said earlier this week that it would withdraw from the Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection unless the Government gave a definite commitment to holding a referendum.

Minister Barry Andrews has said the Government has not yet made any decisions.

He also said claims by the Opposition that the Committee has made no progress in the last nine months were unfounded.

"I think it is unfair and I think that it is a view not shared by everyone on the committee," he said.

"I found the committee extremely helpful in developing my own thoughts in what is a very complex area."