Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I have listened to most of the debate today and in a moment I will comment on some of the issues I have heard put forward very passionately on both sides of the House. I fully accept that the Minister has had an exceptionally difficult job to do. He wishes to extend civil rights to a group of people who have been denied those civil rights in the past, which is not to our credit. He has also endeavoured to ensure the Bill does not conflict with Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Constitution. It remains to be seen whether he has achieved that. Senator Feargal Quinn has raised a point in that regard which may get a further airing in some other forum.

When I relinquished the Fianna Fáil Whip this morning, I did so to have freedom of speech. I will talk about freedom of conscience in a moment. Since the publication of the Bill, there has been very little public debate. That disappoints me. I have stated this on the Order of Business and I make that point again.

While Senator David Norris made a powerful contribution, and I would not expect anything less from him, he invoked my name out of context.