Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I have done my best to listen to all the views of all the justice spokespersons. I have not been able to accept them all but I met them on several occasions to try to get an understanding of where the consensus of opinion lies on this issue in this House, it not being matter on which any of us sought an electoral mandate which divides us.

There is a clear division of views in the House. Some Members have suggested there should be no change to the law. The old law should have been reinstated and left as it was. That would mean that for a girl aged 16 years to have sexual intercourse with a boy, the boy committed an offence but the girl did not. Those Members arguing about section 5 must realise if the old law was reinstated——

See this speech in context