Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As I said yesterday and as the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said, the age of consent has nothing to do with the referendum. We have deliberately formulated the proposal to ensure the age of consent does not enter into the debate in any way; this is about the age of protection, about establishing protection for children in the criminal courts and about creating a strict zone of protection. That is the issue. The legislation covering the details of other parts of this area is a matter for the future. Therefore, it does not affect the proposed referendum. The Deputy does not have to move from what I understand is his stated position. I have also made remarks on this issue, but it has nothing to do with the referendum. That is the point. That legislation will not ready for some considerable time. Irrespective of what happens, that legislation probably would not be ready before the referendum, even if it was held in the autumn.

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