Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I have been fair, frank and open about this. I would be very glad to hear the Deputy's conclusions. He stated last week that if we published the legislation, he would examine it with legal and other advisers and give his view on it.

The outline of the legislative proposals lists four areas of legislation which can be addressed under the particular amendment, with legislation relating to sexual offences. A great deal of work has been done by the Joint Committee on Child Protection in this area and, in general, the Government accepts its recommendations.

That explains our position on the two issues that remain outstanding before legislation can be finalised. Yesterday we went through all the issues and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, went through all the points in great detail afterwards. We listened to the Opposition's comments.

Our view is that all these issues need to be dealt with. The Deputy has stated that five of the issues are not contentious. There are seven issues — the Deputy says eight — and six are not considered contentious. Some people may think two are contentious, although we do not. We believe we can engage on the matter and I would ask the Deputy to arrange for his spokespersons to enter into arrangements with us to consider the issues.

We would rather have one question but we are not absolutely embedded in that position. It is our preferred view and we believe it could be done. It does not create a difficulty. I have already given my view on timing. It is possible to proceed as we have proposed and we have been advised to do so in this fashion. There is no difficulty and we have cross-checked it with a large range of people, as have people in various organisations in the field.

We will listen to views and I have stated that we want consensus before we can go forward. I do not want to indicate that my position is the only one and that I will not listen to anyone. I am not saying that. Six of these issues do not create a difficulty and I cannot find anyone who would raise them as a problem. If there is a wish for a discussion on the other two we will have it.

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