Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

That is part of the problem. There are many aspects of the matter which I would like to bring to the attention of the House which could more sensibly and reasonably be considered in the context of an all-party Oireachtas committee examination.

I return to a point I made earlier. If the problem has arisen as a result of Article 2 of the Constitution, it seems the Minister is proposing to amend it by the back door. The amendment will restrict the application of Article 2. The source of the problem as expounded by the Minister appears to be Article 2. If Article 2 is the problem, it should be addressed in an honest and up-front manner. While that would necessitate wider consultation with Northern and British parties, such consultations should be commenced if that is what is needed. Fine Gael accepts that there is a problem and is genuinely committed to remedying it. We wish to find the best solution. If that takes time, we should accept it. We should never rush to amend the Constitution. The Minister should consider a direct amendment to Article 2 containing the very words he wishes to include in Article 9. Such an amendment would have the effect of eliminating an incoherence between an amended Article 9 and the existing Article 2.

Another possibility would be to limit the broad scope of Article 2 by inserting into it the one Irish citizen-parent requirement. There are a number of legislative and constitutional possibilities which should be considered in a calm, deliberative manner. That is not happening. I urge the Minister to consider fairly and seriously the proposal of Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party. It is made in good faith and reflects the prescribed methodology of the sixth report of the all-party committee. While the Minister might not achieve consensus if the constitutional issue is dealt with in that manner, he will at least have ensured that all issues are fully resolved. A report will result to provide a proper basis on which to make further progress.

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