David Norris (Independent)

Part of the problem experienced by those of us who are pushing for a multidisciplinary approach is that this legislation, like most legislation generated by the Government, is not fundamentally rights based. Therefore, there is no automatic entitlement to anything. That underlines Senator Fitzgerald's point that the Government does not want to be tied in to automatic financial liability in servicing the needs of patients, which is a pity. I know we face difficult circumstances economically but many of us in this House have argued for rights-based legislation.

All Members on this side have been eloquent. Equally eloquent is the silence on the Government side because, to quote our friend the late James Joyce, "silence gives consent, Mr. Anklegazer". If silence is equated to giving consent, there is some agreement on the Government benches. It is masked by a discreet silence. For the sake of inclusiveness, I must point out that my two female Fine Gael colleagues, Senators McFadden and Fitzgerald, said Senator Mullen had made his defence well. For the sake of being complete, I must state I argued well also. I would hate that to be omitted from the record.