Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

We are rehashing the debate on Second and Committee Stages to some extent. The timing of the referendum is a secondary issue and we should concentrate on the substance of the matter. It is not fair to say the Opposition has not been given enough time to deal with the matter. This has its genesis six years ago in the Belfast Agreement and the Supreme Court decision a year and a half ago. The issue has been debated in the House and at the relevant Oireachtas committee. These amendments that seek the Bill's referral to an all-party committee are not sensible. It is a simple constitutional amendment in which the people are being asked to give the Oireachtas the right to make decisions on children born of non-nationals. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has set out the proposed legislation in this area. Members should not be afraid of dealing with this issue. There is some feeling that we do not have the confidence to deal with this in a humane and responsible way. There will be differences of opinion. For example, Senator Tuffy argued that the three year period for residing in Ireland was too long while I argued it was too short. I look forward to the debate on the legislation. I do not subscribe to the arguments put forward by the other side of the House.

There has not been one iota of racist comment since it was suggested there would be in the newspapers.