Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, there is a great deal in Deputy Daly's Bill which I have said is excellent and which should be progressed. I recognise, however, the letter from the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality indicating that it requires a money message and that she is willing to work with the committee to ensure that key provisions within the Bill are incorporated and passed in a timely way. I welcome her letter and that willingness to work with us.

To respond to Deputy O'Callaghan's comments, to have a problem with legislation and oppose it because it is wrong is a completely justifiable process and part of our parliamentary democracy. While his proposal last week was far more wide-ranging, I note again that it is really regrettable to go down the road of targeting any Bill not because of its merits or otherwise but in order to engage in an act of sabotage for reasons of being vindictive on foot of something elsewhere in the legislative process. It does not serve democracy or the legislative process well and it does not serve our reputation as a justice committee. I am quite prepared to lose votes over something I believe in. I am quite prepared to support something even if it is not necessarily the stated view of my party or Government. I am quite prepared to work with my colleagues here, but I would never like to see someone, including me, thwarting legislation deliberately because I had not got my way on something else. That is really a regrettable way to treat any Bill.

While recognising the frustration Deputy O'Callaghan and his colleagues feel about this Bill and its progress, I suggest we attempt to engage and work with the Minister to identify what aspects of the legislation can be passed speedily. We should work on every Bill in that framework and refrain from starting off down the proposed road. Nobody gains from going down this road.