The Opposition said it was time for the Government to stop playing games on the issue.
The Fine Gael spokesperson on Children, Alan Shatter said a Government promise of constitutional reform last year appears to have been revoked.
It follows last week's statement by Children's Minister Barry Andrews that it appeared the issue could be dealt with through legislative reform rather than a constitutional referendum.
Reacting to Mr Shatter's claim this afternoon, Mr Andrews insisted that no decision has been made by the Government about whether to hold a referendum.
He said the central principle behind the establishment of an Oireachtas Committee on the issue was consensus, and that all parties, up to now, had respected the timeframe and process agreed by the Committee.
Mr Andrews rejected as insulting the implication that anyone who disagrees with Fine Gael's position is somehow equivocal regarding the protection of children.
