The Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, has said the Government wants to hold a referendum on children's rights before the forthcoming General Election.
However, he said it will only happen if all-party agreement can be reached on the wording.
Mr McDowell told the Dáil this morning that this remained the Government's preferred option.
He said it looked forward to the response of Opposition parties to proposals given to it last night.
He was responding to Labour's Justice Spokesperson Brendan Howlin, who sought clarity on when the referendum would be held.
