Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I want to be clear on this. I made the announcement in the House. I did not say what the legislation was because I was not empowered to do so. At that time, two Independent Senators were in the House, one of whom had brought forward a Bill which was widely accepted and one of whom spoke on that Bill, as did I. The Official Report makes clear the times when Senator Norris and I spoke.

The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, was asked by a Member last night why it was imperative to put through the legislation in this fashion. She replied that this was the advice she received from the Attorney General. She told me the same before she came into the Chamber, as did two of her officials.