The Taoiseach has said that the referendum on children's rights and protections will have to be held in the short term, but it does not matter to him if it is in April or September.
Mr Ahern said the view of people close to the subject was that it had to be dealt with, and if it were not they would be very unhappy with everyone in the Dáil.
He told Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny that he did not wish to have the referendum politicised during the course of the General Election campaign, saying this would be the worst of all possible worlds.
And he told Labour leader Pat Rabbitte that even if the Opposition parties agreed to the Government's wording, which will be published next Monday, there would not be time to hold the referendum before Easter.
Mr Ahern confirmed that the Government would propose two questions for voters to decide; one reinstating the absolute zone of protection for children and the other dealing with rights.
If passed the referendum will abolish the plea of honest mistake resulting from the Circuit Court case last year.
It will also cover the area of adoption, where the rights of the child will be strengthened.
