Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an Aire as ucht an reachtaíocht seo a thabhairt tríd na Tithe. Is lá stairiúil é seo. Is lá an-tábhachtach é do leanaí na tíre. Tá áthas orm go bhfuilimid in ann tacú leis an Aire san obair seo. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú freisin le comhghleacaithe an Aire sa Roinn, mo chomh-Sheanadóirí agus Teachtaí Dála agus na daoine ar fad a d'oibrigh ar bealach ar bith leis an mBille thar a bheith tábhachtach seo a thabhairt os ár gcomhair. Caithfear an reachtaíocht a leanúint le gníomh chomh maith céanna.

I commend and congratulate the Minister on her efforts in bringing forward this proposal and her handling of the debate thereon. This is a fantastic day. It is vital, however, that the Government follow through with action. In that regard, I welcome the Minister's reference to the legislation that will be introduced in due course. It is incumbent on us to bring forward the ethos and philosophy underpinning the amendment in the work we do here. That will involve child-proofing and poverty-proofing every Bill that is brought before the House, as well as considering the impact on children of all budgetary decisions, particularly in the area of social welfare and education.

I agree with Senator Aideen Hayden that one of our priorities must be securing redress for the former residents of the Magdalene laundries and Bethany Home and the women subjected to symphysiotomy in the past. We must ensure our shameful past is not continued into the present. I have referred to the direct provision model for asylum seekers on several occasions. I hope we will not discover at some future time that abuses equal to those which took place in our shameful past are happening in the country in the present day.

I offer the Minister a word of caution in respect of the forthcoming referendum campaign. There was great surprise last year when the Government's proposal on increased powers for Oireachtas inquiries was rejected by the electorate. Members have surmised in the course of this debate as to who might emerge in the coming weeks to oppose this constitutional amendment. The answer is that we simply do not know. What is certain, however, is that we have no reason to fear any of the arguments that might be put forward in opposition to the proposal. No matter how many hours of coverage are afforded to any "No" side which might emerge, we on the "Yes" side have the qualifications, rationale and moral authority to debate in an open and positive way. As such, I urge the Government not to attempt to override the 50:50 requirement in regard to discussion and awareness-raising in the campaign. It is a fundamental democratic principle which should and must be upheld by the Government.

Ba mhaith liom bheith dearfach ar an lá iontach seo, atá tábhachtach do leanaí na tíre agus clann ár gclainne amach anseo. Déanaim comhghairdeas arís leis an Aire. Déanfaidh muid i Sinn Féin ár gcuid chun daoine a tharraingt amach ag vótáil agus a chinntiú go dtabharfar tacaíocht don reifreann seo. Ba cheart go mbainfeadh na Billí a bheidh á phlé againn amach anseo le brí agus éiteas an méid atá déanta againn sa reachtaíocht seo, agus go mbeidís ar son leanaí na tíre.