Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I do not understand why he is trying this again today. This is important legislation. We all agree with it in principle, given the problems associated with law enforcement, but the procedure being applied is unacceptable and brings the whole House into disrepute.

In The Irish Times today, Fintan O'Toole has a very good article entitled "Politicians prove they have no self-respect". He should be more discerning in making that kind of statement because at least Fianna Fáil is barefaced about the fact that it is rushing through legislation and that, in setting out the procedure, it does not care what amendments are tabled. The Green Party is acquiescing in this and acquiesced in supporting the legislation on the medieval offence of blasphemy. Last week, Mr. Jason O'Mahony's blog stated that Senator de Búrca put on record during her European election campaign that she and the Green Party are against the legislation on blasphemy. Senator Dan Boyle spoke in this House against the law of blasphemy, yet voted with the Government. The Green Party could have prevented the law on blasphemy being ensconced in the Defamation Bill. If it had done so, we would all have supported it.