Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I believe Edmund Burke stated that for evil to thrive, all it needs is for good men to remain silent. I mention this because of the courage and bravery of a young woman from the Congo that was reported in the newspapers yesterday. She gave evidence of an outrageous assault that she had endured for a number of years, having been brought into Ireland by the perpetrator. I raise this matter because the young woman in question was only 15 years old and it would have been very easy for her to stay silent. I gather that a large number of young people do so under similar circumstances.

I understand that a referendum will be held and I completely agree with the point made in the House today by Senator O'Toole. This House is the forum in which the matter should be discussed in the coming months, rather than springing a referendum on citizens without anyone having the time to understand the details.