Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I express regret at the serious outbreak of rioting in Northern Ireland over the weekend in the context of the decision by the Parades Commission. It is most unfortunate that the parties involved could not see fit to abide by the Parades Commission ruling. It is rather sad to see 12 July erupting again in violence and I imagine everyone would join me in extending sympathy to all those injured in the riots which, I hope, we will see dissipate. The Orange Order has questions to answer about the conduct of its members over the weekend.

I welcome the reports in the newspapers over the weekend speculating that there might be a day next year when several issues that have been put to the Constitutional Convention could be put to a referendum of the people, in particular, the issue of marriage equality, but also issues around the voting age and the age of eligibility for the presidency. I renew my call on the Leader to have Tom Arnold, chairperson of the Constitutional Convention, to the House in the autumn in order that we can tease out the issues that could be put by referendum to the people and to discuss further the idea of a constitution day. I believe it is a good idea and it would provide a positive culmination of the work of the Constitutional Convention during the past 12 months to see a package of referendum measures going to the people as a result of the work of the convention. That would be very welcome.

I welcome the publication late last week of chapter 20 of the Murphy report into child sexual abuse in the Dublin diocese. I am glad Commissioner Callinan has expressed his regret over the shameful conduct of the Garda in regard to the Dublin priest, Patrick McCabe, the chapter on whom has now been published, and which has revealed various very disturbing aspects of the relationship between senior clergy and a serial abuser within the Dublin diocese.

On the issue of time limits for speakers, the Leader will respond and there may well be an amendment, but ten minutes per speaker on an important Bill, the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, is ample time. We discussed it at the leaders' meeting last week. It is the same time everyone in the House had on Second Stage on the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution Bill. I have always been impressed by Senator Quinn, whose brevity and concise manner of expression is a good example for all of us. We should be able to say what we need to say on any Bill on Second Stage in ten minutes. We also have Committee and Report Stages. The Leader is giving plenty of time and it is important that everyone has a chance to speak on Second Stage.