David Norris (Independent)

In light of the commitment the Leader gave yesterday, I ask him to take all-party motion No. 14, without debate if necessary. I recognise we have limited time but I would like the motion to be taken despite the fact that it was referred to dismissively by one of my colleagues.

With regard to the question of a free vote, I will abstain on this extraordinary proposal. As I noted to Senator O'Toole when it first arose, this is an internal matter for the political parties and it would be improper for an Independent Member to intervene.

I ask the Leader to convey to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, immediately upon the conclusion of the Order of Business, my request they would enable me to vote in favour of this Bill, which I would like to do. The amendments I have put down were substantially authorised by the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, who indicated in a document circulated to all Senators that the rights of children have been vitiated by their deliberate omission from this legislation. This was done without clear reason or regard for the rights of children and against the advice of the Government's own Colley report that it would seriously damage the rights and interests of children in this country and may bring us into conflict with our own legislation, the European Convention on Human Rights and the international covenants under the United Nations to which this country is a signatory.

The Government has been given the justification and the reason to act not by me or any crank or person whose views could be regarded as partisan but by the person it appointed to superintend and vindicate the rights of children. It now has the opportunity to do what is necessary by supporting these rights. In light of the way the rights of children were violated over the past 100 years by church and State, it can do no less. Let us see anybody vote to continue the violation of children's rights.