Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I agree with the Cathaoirleach. I am not trying to undermine that process; I am completely supportive of it. My only point is that we were told the matter would be dealt with very quickly and dates were suggested but for reasons beyond the scope of the committee, it did not reach those dates. Where do we go from here? We will be asked questions at the next general election. There is something wrong if I cannot get the answers in the House but can get them in the public press.

Since I was elected to national politics 20 years ago I have regularly come across members of political parties and elected representatives who firmly believe the words "cherishing all the children of the nation equally" are somewhere in the Constitution. For the first time we now have an opportunity to include a commitment to the rights of the child in the Constitution. I suggest on this the 90th anniversary of the publication of the Proclamation that we show a certain respect to the fourth and fifth paragraphs of that document by considering using the words "cherishing all the children of the nation equally" in any commitment. They are vital, powerful paragraphs of protection from which successive Governments have always shied away until now for reasons that we could understand, that is, resources. I fully agree with the point made by Senator Brian Hayes and appeal that whatever way we go about this, we get all the parties involved and try to get some agreement because it is not a political issue.

The issue raised by Senator Brian Hayes on the rights and duties of citizens in a democracy is well worth discussing in the House. A couple of weeks ago in a very tragic case, a Catholic priest in Monaghan tried to tell us society was at fault for people not exercising free will. Citizens have free will and must take decisions. They also have responsibilities as part of a democracy. If we have to start with the parable of the Good Samaritan and the requirement of a citizen to be there for other citizens, then that is what we should do. Senator Brian Hayes made a very important point.