Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I have not been involved with the Bill in detail so the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will deal with the Deputy's last point during the course of the debate. I assume the matter has been well covered but I will raise it with the Minister with a view to clearing it up before the Bill is taken.

I received the Deputy's letter concerning the referendum today and his point about the defence of honest mistake is correct. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has received letters from other parties and is meeting with them today. Hopefully we can come to an all-party agreement on the matter this week. I will not reveal the contents of the Deputy's letter, as that is for him to do if he so wishes. However, I note his suggestion and we are examining it.

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