Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This is important business and we have no intention to divide the House in this situation. I thank the Chief Whip for accepting what we consider to be important additions to the Government motion. These additions, principally proposed by Deputy Shatter, include many of the important elements which the survivors regard as critical, including the reference that the Dáil resolves to cherish all the children of the nation equally.

In the event that other matters may arise when the debate concludes tomorrow, in respect of future protection for children, if it is appropriate we might have another day to further reflect on what we have done and what we need to do in order to get this right. I say this in all sincerity because we do not want a situation to arise in 30 years time where some other politicians in this House are saying the Legislature in 2009 did not do its work properly. As Head of Government, the Taoiseach will have our full support in trying to get this as right as we can, both in dealing with the horror stories of the past and in dealing with the requirements to establish a legal basis to avoid this happening in the future. If it is appropriate, can the House have another debate on aspects of this issue, if this is deemed to be necessary?

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