Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Christina Zampas, Mr. Colm O'Gorman and Mr. Salil Shetty for their presence and testimony this afternoon, and for the report that is before us. I also acknowledge the presence in the Gallery of members of Amnesty International and other organisations. I thank them sincerely for being here.

Any change in our laws can only be done by the people through referendum. As Deputy Kelleher has rightly said it is an issue that has polarised Irish society for over 40 years. We have been able to show that we can debate the matter in this committee in a civilised manner and I hope we will continue to do that in future deliberations. The committee will at a future date as part of our work programme discuss what, if anything, we will do. I have made my view clear that it is important for us to have a national conversation along the lines of the Convention on the Constitution, of which I was a member and which did sterling work. It would be a very important forum within which to bring together the different viewpoints within civic society. It is important that we had the conversation this afternoon.