Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the result of the referendum. I thank the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for introducing it after 20 years of debate and a number of reports, including by the Oireachtas. I also pay tribute to Senator van Turnhout. She has been involved in the area for a long number of years and has made a great contribution to moving the campaign forward. I also thank every Member for participating in the campaign.

It is important to note that the people who voted "No" had genuine concerns. In my area of Cork North-Central one box of ballot papers showed that 90 people voted "No" and 12 people voted "Yes". People have genuine concerns about dealing with the social services and we need to deal with the issue. Social services provide the best service they can within their remit and we must send out a positive message about that work. I shall touch on the issue that relates to the Supreme Court.