Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I am quite flabbergasted by the attitude adopted by certain Government Senators in regard to this legislation. I commend Senators Marc MacSharry and John Crown - the latter of whom is a professional in this field - on the work they have put into drafting the Bill and presenting it to the House. I would have hoped that in the case of a proposal that affects almost every family in the country, the Government might approach the debate in a proactive and rational manner. Instead it has merely adhered to a rejectionist position. Indeed, the first line in the speech by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, indicated the intention to reject the Bill. That is dreadful.