John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

The matter needs to be clarified straightaway because the last thing we want here is a fractured debate that is not based on facts. If one makes statements such as that made by Senator Lydon, one should quote specifically the legislative basis on which the statement is based. My understanding is that we are still awaiting interpretation of the Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling on this fundamental issue. There is need for a debate to bring clarity to statements such as that.