The Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte, has claimed that the Government's proposal for a referendum on children's rights is 'vague, not thought through and opportunistic'.
Addressing the SIPTU Regional Conference in Waterford, Mr Rabbitte said the Taoiseach had raised the prospect of a referendum 'off the top of his head' at his party's Ard Fheis, but since then had been unable to explain precisely what would be in it.
He claimed the suggestion was prompted by the need to have a referendum on something that is popular, in order to give the party troops a run out before the General Election and to spend some of the massive war-chest hoarded by Fianna Fáil.
