Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all my colleagues in this House for their very thoughtful contributions in what I am sure is a very difficult debate for them. I also thank Senator Cummins for facilitating me on behalf of the Government. A month ago, the Taoiseach took me aside one evening and asked me if I would take responsibility on behalf of the Government for the Second Stage, Committee Stage and Report Stage of this Bill in the Seanad. My first thought was to question what I had done to deserve this. This is a fundamental change to our Constitution. Any Bill which provides for a radical change to the Constitution is a matter of huge import and seriousness. I appreciate the very serious contributions made on this Second Stage debate on all sides of this debate. I am convinced that the Government's decision to ask for the view of the people on this issue is in no way a slight or some diminution of Members of this House-----