Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. We are a little bit disappointed that the Bill is not being supported. However, we also recognise that it is not about who brings forward the Bill, rather, it is about consent and the right of consent of people aged 16 and 17. That is what it is about. We will work together on this. I am glad the Minister of State accepted the principle that we put forward.

We look forward to the Bill in the next session, with Christmas being so close. As I said, it is more than overdue. We can all tell tales about what happened to people in our own areas. This is an important issue for us.

As I said, we are glad that the legislation is coming through. We accept the Minister of State’s observations, which are valid. However, as I said at the very start, it does not matter who brings forward the Bill, once it is passed.

I thank my colleagues, Deputies Ellis and Browne, for being here and, of course, all of the other people who were involved in the background. It was a lot of hard work. I understand that it is a very difficult and an extremely complex issue. It is an issue that involves parents, guardians and so forth. It is important that we all work together on this. We see the damage this can do. I have seen the damage it has done in my community, where people do not have the right to choose and sometimes are forced into doing things they should not be doing. We see that they wind up in all sorts of trouble.

I thank the Minister of State. We look forward to working with her on the Bill. If we can be of any help at all, that is what we are here for.

See this speech in context