Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Mixed views appear to be coming from Ministers. Where are the origins of section 5? Was it given to the Minister by the DPP or by the Cabinet? It would be nice to have a straightforward answer to that. Sadly, we do not have much time to discuss the Bill as our time has been cut dramatically. If Ministers stopped acting like minor television stars and acted as CEOs of their Departments we would have fewer problems like this.

The Progressive Democrats have the distinction of being the only Ministers who have been brought to account by the Supreme Court. The Minister has been brought to account with regard to the way he does not protect children in our society.

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