Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I do not know why Opposition Deputies are baying. They wanted the legislation introduced on an emergency basis.

Similarly, I noticed last night that the provisions relating to victims of more serious sexual offences under the law of rape whereby they cannot be cross-examined about their sexual past, except by permission of the court and with the assistance of their own counsel, have not been replicated for the children who will be subjected to cross-examination as well under the legislation.

See this speech in context