Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)

I agree with what Deputy Devins has just stated about the proposals before us in the Fine Gael motion. He has demonstrated the problem very well because a patient might not necessarily be simply a drunk patient and there could be other factors. This is the danger. The motion before us is so ill-considered as to be utterly careless. Fine Gael is a serious party with an important contribution to make in Irish politics, but presenting such a motion undermines its credibility. I am sorry to be obliged to state this, because Private Member's business and the motions debated should be about a constructive dialogue on pressing political issues of the day. I will outline why it is careless. The first proposal concerns the introduction of a so-called "wet room" for those found to be drunk——

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