Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator White has done this House a service. She has a distinguished and prolific career in responding to important issues in society. She does this through exceptionally comprehensive reports as well as Private Members' Bills. The reports she has produced over the years have often been the basis for informed debate. They are timeless and will be used as reference documents into the future.

A lovely partnership is developing here today between the Minister of State, the Government side and Senator White. There is a particular tone in the Minister of State's response which is excellent. We could hear a lot more of that. It should be put on the record once again that the Government should not automatically oppose a Private Members' Bill, particularly when it contains good ideas. That is exactly what we should be hearing. In a way, it is all about job sharing and we should be sharing the work that has to be done. It should not be a matter of them and us, it should be us all the time because we are acting on behalf of the people.

We are dealing with a very changed society, including changed family roles. Senator Quinn referred to the man pushing a pram and that picture was also in my mind. I come from the small town of Cashel which has a population of 3,000. Some 30 or 40 years ago, it would be a courageous man who would push a pram down the main street.