Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Too often the profession of politics has a bad name in this country. The result of the referendum over the weekend, however, showed Irish politics and the Irish people at their best. The credit lies with the thousands, mostly women, who campaigned long and hard for the result and those who told their stories bravely and often for the first time. It lies with those in Together for Yes, again run by women, who, despite many efforts to throw them off course, showed courage in pursuing their campaign strategy and sticking to the core message of care, compassion and change. Across Ireland on Friday, people voted overwhelmingly "Yes" for these reasons. They said enough to the hypocrisy of the eighth amendment.

It is often said victory has many mothers and defeat is an orphan. The activists who toiled for decades on what was a taboo subject deserve the immense credit they won on Saturday. Walking through Dublin Castle and in count centres throughout the country I saw people from across the political divide hugging and embracing at the momentous earthquake that was happening around them.

We are now tasked in this arena, as others said, with implementing the will of the people. The Minister for Health said last night that the proposed legislation would be published - the Taoiseach has confirmed it – and I hope passed on Second Stage in this session in order that Committee Stage could be considered during what was normally the summer recess. I welcome the setting out of that clear timetable by the Government an look forward to exchanges with all parties in order that we can, as speedily as possible, implement the will of the people.

People want to know what comes next. I think there is great appreciation of the work done by the Citizens' Assembly on this important and complicated issue. The assembly and its predecessor, the Constitutional Convention, have proved beyond doubt their worth. That model should be used again to look at issues of complexity and importance for the country and its people. The future patronage and control of the education system is one such issue. The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector during the term of the last Government was an important step but few schools have since been divested. The most recent controversy over enrolment in Educate Together schools shows the demand for non-denominational education. Will the Government, acknowledging the important role in dealing with this difficult issue performed by the Citizens' Assembly, convene a new citizens' assembly to address the issue of school patronage in order that we can have a comprehensive and open discussion involving all interests on an issue of major importance to the country?

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