Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

When the history books come to be written this rather modest, slim document will stand probably beside the treaty, the declaration of Irish neutrality in the Second World War, the decisions about joining the European Union, the issues dealing with the IRA and violence in this country, as probably one of the most important documents presented to the Dáil. It is presented on a snowy 1 December evening. Inevitably, because of the weather it has been difficult for Members to be present. True to form, the Minister has decided to sneak it in just as we approach early evening on a snowy December day.

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