David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her courtesy and goodwill through what was sometimes a tendentious and argumentative passage of the Bill. I do not agree with Senator Bacik. I sincerely hope the Bill lapses in the Dáil and I hope that the urgencies of the general election ensure that it fails to pass Dáil Éireann. I hope there will be at least some few voices there that will oppose it. I note that the Minister's quotation of the Swedish report was a series of assertions unsupported by scientific fact, but we will just have to continue our disagreements.

I did say I was a lone voice, but I am not the only person here who thinks the way I do. There are people on this side of the House, and on the other side - I know this because I was told during some of the votes on this debate - who are seriously concerned about this situation and feel it will drive matters underground, cause great difficulties and lead to an increased involvement of organised crime. That worries me, but this is a democracy and the Bill has passed. I compliment the Minister and her advisers on the very courteous way in which they dealt with this Bill.