Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I have read reports in the newspapers, including The Irish Times, to the effect that the Government might delay a referendum to deal with the fall-out from the statutory rape controversy and the age of consent. It is no secret that I oppose the lowering of the age of consent. I have said this any time the issue has been debated here. I agree with the Rape Crisis Centre that we may need to empower young people to feel firm and confident in their ability to resist pressure from older people and their peer group to have sex before they are ready.

Not lowering the age of consent will not in any way expose children to the dangers of sexual predators. That issue should be put on hold and debated further because there are differences in public opinion and within political parties. The Government should prioritise implementing the numerous recommendations of the report of the sub-committee on child protection on which there is consensus. There are 62 recommendations, all of which are important, and those which are agreed by all should be implemented without delay. There should be a referendum before the election on the need to include the express rights of children in the Constitution. I would like to have a debate on the child protection report as soon as possible.

I support the calls for a debate on the proposals to seek money from the estates of older people for the cost of nursing home care. The point has been made that older people pay their taxes, but not only that, many of the older people who would be affected by this measure paid the highest taxes ever paid in this country of up to 60% and 70%.