We are going to the polls on Saturday to vote in the referendum on children's rights. Many citizens are very concerned about a number of matters. One of them is the family law courts and the lack of transparency and oversight in respect of their proceedings. When is it proposed to bring forward the courts Bill? It would have been preferable to have had that legislation or the heads of that Bill published in advance of the referendum.

The second proposed legislative measure relates to the rights of adoptive people, the adoption (tracing and information) Bill. Again, this matter is of enormous concern to adoptive people who feel their rights have been ignored for many years.

Finally, one of the many vexed legacy issues arising from the historical mistreatment of children by this State is the issue of illegal adoptions. I understand the Minister has not yet met with the persons concerned. Can the Taoiseach indicate when that meeting might happen?

The Deputy should only ask about legislation.

Can the Taoiseach give an indication as to what the State response will be? I raise these issues because there are people who legitimately wish to underpin the rights of children but who have huge concerns in respect of the operation of the family law courts, the area of adoption and tracing and the continuing failure of the State to deal with illegal adoptions in the past.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has already met with the Adoption Rights Alliance and other associations, and is in active discussions with them. The adoption (tracing and information) Bill will be published early in the new year.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, is working actively on the issue of transparency in the courts, which has been raised by him over many years, with particular reference to the in camera rule and the difference between privacy and secrecy. We expect that Bill to be published within a few weeks. It is an important Bill.