Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is the case here. Senator Quinn has done the intellectual and policy spadework necessary and Members owe a great debt of gratitude to the Senator and to those working with him for so doing. The mere fact that this is not a Government initiative is no reason the Government should not accept this legislation today. Too often in these Houses, one hears excuses like a proposal having potential unintended consequences or of the existence of some legalities that must be considered further. More often than not, such excuses really amount to little more than straw, designed really to allow the Government to save face and bring forward its own legislative initiative in its own right. The Government ought to accept this Bill today and allow it to proceed to Committee Stage in the normal course of events. Knowing Senator Quinn, he always is most reasonable when it comes to proposed adjustments and changes and the process of contact and consideration can go on. However, the passage of this Bill needs to start in this House today.