Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

Without the referendum, we would not have this Bill. Much work was done by Fine Gael and the Labour Party to get the proposal passed. That tends not to be noticed, because the expectation is that Government parties will get a proposal over the line.

I have long been critical of the stance Fianna Fáil has taken on various issues, and I have always believed its members put Fianna Fáil first, rather than the nation. That was not the case on this occasion. After 2011, the Fianna Fáil Party put the nation first, which was the right thing to do on behalf of the people of this country. I say that in a very earnest way. Unfortunately, there is a new Fianna Fáil, and it is also unfortunate that its representatives in this Chamber are not present to hear what I have to say, namely, the new Fianna Fáil is Sinn Féin.