Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)

During the past week, I have been asked by many constituents to place on record their sense of outrage at the negligence and incompetence of the Government in its failure to respond to this issue when the warning bells first sounded and so pre-empt the release of criminal predators of children on our streets. No other single issue — there have been many examples of ineptitude in this Government's term — has so undermined the confidence of the public in the political and legal process. This shameful episode will not be forgotten by the electorate. It is, yet again, evidence of a Government that is terminally out of touch with the concerns of the people.

Nothing is more fundamental to the democratic and political process than the manner in which we ensure full and proper protection for our children. When any Government fails in this fundamental respect it is time for it to go. While the scale of public outrage at Government ineptitude has forced today's legislative action, the Bill is flawed and potentially problematic.

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