Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Please, Deputy. It came out of the all-party committee yet ten years on we want more time and some are even suggesting we should have another committee. Some of the groups are very agitated as a result.

I am trying to be helpful. The parties have had the substance of our proposals for several weeks and have had the proposals since Monday. I understand they must have some time but I would prefer if they could give me their written views on how they see the matter moving forward. Many of the groups, including adoption groups, believe these are urgent matters which should be dealt with immediately. These issues are creating much difficulty in many cases. That is view of the groups. They do not share the opinion that there should be a delay and that the questions should be intertwined.

I must consider all of the angles. If the Opposition parties could give me their considered opinion, we could try to take a path forward.

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