Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I am very strongly of the view that this matter has created a lacuna in the law. I am impressed by the Minister's explanation. There is a requirement that the law should be as gender neutral as possible. The Minister made the exception last year in regard to pregnant girls. We cannot always follow that general principle.

We will have to return to this issue. In the meantime, I will not press my amendment because the issue has received a fair airing and a fair explanation of the Minister's stand has been put to the House.

See this speech in context