Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We should have a debate after 11 December when the decision of the Supreme Court is made known and we see exactly what went wrong. There is no question but that the Government made a hames of this referendum because the booklet sent was costly, unnecessary and biased and it caused so many people to stay away from the polls last Saturday. The reaction to it was unbelievable. People felt they were being misled by the document sent by the Government and, in the circumstances, voted "No" or stayed way. Fortunately, enough people went to the polls - roughly 33.5% - and voted "Yes". It is a vital amendment of the Constitution and it is has been a success from the point of view that it has passed.

The Government has learned lessons. One lesson it has learned is that in the next referendum it holds - there have been approximately 80 proposed amendments of the Constitution - it may be beaten but so be it. That is another day's work and we will debate that again.

I commend the country for getting a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, which is very worthwhile.

I commend the efforts of people in the Government like the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as Bono, who secured it.

I resent the fact that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has stated that we are restoring our good name around the world. There is nothing to restore and our position regarding human rights is second to none as far as we are concerned. We won a seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2001, when Fianna Fáil was in power and Mr. Brian Cowen was Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Tánaiste has gone on television and radio to say that "our reputation is being restored." How can a reputation for human rights be restored when it has not been damaged?