Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 February 2007

12:00 pm

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

However, having read the newspapers this morning, it seems the Government has since then decided to rule it out, as that seems to be the sentiment attributed to the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

Given the growing opinion that it is not feasible or wise to have this omnibus referendum this side of the general election, and given the weight of comment from expert opinion in the newspapers again today that the matter requires further discussion and teasing out, is it not too long to delay the issue relating to the protection of children? Why could we not run with that issue, for example, contemporaneous with the general election, and run with the other issue as soon as a reasonable debate can take place? Would that not be a more appropriate way to proceed?

Everybody in the House wants the amendment with regard to the protection of children from sexual predators enacted, and wants that protection afforded to children. The experts say they need more time to tease through the other propositions to permit us to get it right rather than rush it.

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