The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that he is prepared to shelve the proposed referendum on child protection until after the Election if he cannot get all-party support.The Cabinet today agreed the terms of the poll and the Minister of State with responsibility for Children, Brian Lenihan, is due to consult with the parties.
Pressed on the referendum by Pat Rabbitte, Bertie Ahern said that the issue of child protection would have to be dealt with in 2007, but if broad agreement was not forthcoming he would leave it over until after the Election.
He told the Labour leader that he personally did not favour having the poll alongside the General Election, but he would be prepared to have it in April or May or the same day as the Election if that was the compromise.
This prompted Mr Rabbitte to observe that if nothing else the opposition had elicited the date on which the country would be voting this summer.
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