16 Feb 2012, 15:51
The Joint Committee on Health and Children has welcomed the commitment from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, to hold the Children’s Referendum this year as a standalone vote.
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “Committee members’ were pleased to hear the Minister’s commitment to hold the Children’s Referendum this year and welcomed her assurance that the referendum would be held on a standalone basis.
We appreciate the Minister’s commitment to consult with the Committee, along with all political parties and other interested parties on the referendum. It is essential that this important referendum is approached on a collaborative, cross-party basis so that it strengthens and secures the rights of children. The Committee is looking forward to working with the Minister on the referendum and also on the Children First Bill.
On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank the Minister for attending our meeting today, the first in a series of quarterly meetings with the Minister, which provided members with an opportunity to directly question her on a number of matters that involved children and young people.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
ENDS
Committee Membership:
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Derek Keating, Fine Gael
Billy Kelleher, Fine Fail
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
David Cullinane, Sine Fein
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fine Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent