Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes again raised the issue of the proposed referendum. I repeat what I said on the matter last week, which was that the Senator's comments were sensible. If we can get a wording which is not just agreeable to all the parties but agreed by them, we can move on that. My opinion is that we should not rush the matter either. It is too important and complex to engage with it in a rushed way. I do not think the Government believes we should rush the matter. It should be agreed among the parties, the wording should be produced and the legislation should be prepared. The 28th amendment is sufficiently important to warrant sufficient time being given to all these stages before it becomes a national issue and the debate follows.

I will endeavour to see if a more definitive viewpoint is held on the matter. It is hugely important. We all saw the furore which occurred last May and the crowds outside Leinster House who were very concerned about what was happening but who essentially did not know what they were marching about. This must be rectified. We must close that loophole, but if we do so, I agree with Senator Brian Hayes's argument. It is one of those issues on which the Senator, many members of other parties and I find common cause in respect of doing it in a measured, proper, debatable and agreeable way before arriving at a decision at God knows what time. I repeat what I said last week and hope I will be able to give Senator Brian Hayes a more definitive view.

The Senator also spoke about the Government U-turns on a commitment to the people of Cork in respect of Cork Airport and tolling, respectively. He said we were engaging in U-turns. The Cork U-turn, for want of a better word, has been debated very firmly by people within and outside this House. It makes the point about rushed legislation because we all remember how this was rushed legislation. It appeared to me that rash promises were made. The two going together do not make for decent legislation.

Senator Quinn asked when the pharmaceutical regulation Bill would be introduced. It is on the A list for printing and publication this term so that will happen. The question of whether there will be time for a debate on the issue is another matter. It is a very important Bill about which the pharmaceutical unions and owners are very concerned. They want to see it coming. Senator Quinn spoke about generic drugs, how the other drugs are getting more prominence and the fact that generic drugs, which are hugely interesting and positive for people, are not getting a proper airing. I will get back to Senator Quinn on the pharmaceutical regulation Bill when it is printed and published.

Senator McCarthy spoke about the legal protection of children. He subscribes to the view held by Senator Brian Hayes that the referendum should not be rushed. We had examples in the early 1980s of everyone succumbing to high-pressure lobbying and partial or implicit threats. All Governments succumbed to them and ran with a referendum which still has reverberations.