Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I believe this legislation can be got right. I believe this Bill can be implemented and will not open up floodgates. However, that will be down to how tight Members can get it. They must tick every box in this regard and it must be monitored correctly, which covers reports involving the Minister. The reporting and presentation of information to this House and the public to enable them to ascertain what happens in practice also can be dealt with on Committee Stage. I believe the intentions are right in this regard, which are to implement the existing law. Members must ensure it happens in practice and this is what people need to know and need to trust. This can only be proven over time and will be down to how this is monitored, controlled and allowed for. Reporting forms part of that and this can be addressed and followed over the coming years.

If it ever happens that this legislation produces a result Members did not expect or seek or that the Minister genuinely did not seek, they must be able to return and address this it through debate, referendum or whatever it takes in years to come. If it turns out that legislation allowing for the X case in a referendum is abused, Members must be able to deal with that. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing the time to discuss this issue.

See this speech in context