Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

There ought not to be but when the case was stated the Government knew what might have happened and it took no steps to provide for that situation. We are left in the circumstances now where there is a gaping loophole in the law that threatens the protection of our children from predators starting immediately and all the Taoiseach can say is that he is looking at it. He will fly to America tomorrow, he will put the House into recess for ten days, he will then come back and we might or might not have a Bill. That is not acceptable. Whereas many people allege he is losing his touch, he is really out of touch if he thinks he will get away with that on this occasion.

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