Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I spoke last night on this issue. We have had a very reasonable discussion about it. I am disappointed with the Minister's statement that he will not accept any of the amendments. Democracy was shown by the Members who spoke last night and again today. Passion has been shown. I doubt that anybody wishes to do anything other than the right thing. I appeal to the Minister to consider in the next few hours what we have been saying. We must do this right and we must do it for the right reasons. I accept that he wants to do it right and for the right reasons, but there are flaws. There are major concerns among the survivors and the people who were involved in these atrocities. They want to have it right. They want a little more time for us, as legislators, to ensure that whatever laws we pass are right. We must do the right thing.

This is not in any way party political, but about doing the right thing. It is the first time in my five years in the Dáil that I have heard Members from every political party and none, including from Fianna Fáil and others in the Government, expressing their concerns that this might not be the right thing to do right now. There is an opportunity to extend the deadline so we can have reasoned debate, look at amendments and bring forward the legislation that would be required in an all-party fashion. Lest anybody give out to us for seeking that, this issue is the one issue on which we must man up as politicians and decide to do this together for the right reasons. We need a little time. I urge the Minister to consider extending the time of the commission so we can do that.

I will not repeat the issues I raised last night. I know the Minister was listening because he told me so today. For the sake of everybody involved in this, he needs to consider taking the time to ensure we do it right.

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