Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The problem we have on this side of the House is that we have notions that this is a Legislature and that if we make a compelling case, it may be accepted and that there is no impediment to this. Is this proposal so unusual or extreme that the Minister would have to speak to others about it? In normal circumstances, if one needed to bring propositions to Government, this could be done. This is an important issue.

I suppose half a loaf is better than no bread and referring the matter to the Law Reform Commission is something. However, so much is referred to the Law Reform Commission and even when it reports on something, in many cases the reports simply end up on the shelf. I accept that some reports are acted upon. I thought this was a straightforward issue. I wish to deal with amendment No. 63 separately, although the Minister alluded to it.

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