Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What is limited to three years? It is a very good idea. It is the only positive recommendation in the report of the Oireachtas joint committee. I pay tribute to Senator Noone and her colleagues for their hard work they did even though I totally disagree with the vast majority of it.

Senator McDowell and other colleagues have alluded to our right, if we believe it is not right to put this piece of legislation to the people, to vote against it.It is quite understandable that some people may have forgotten what happened in 1983. I remind people that 85 Deputies voted for the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 1982, with 70 abstaining and 11 voting against. There were eight Deputies from the Labour Party, two from the Workers' Party and one Independent. When the legislation came before the Seanad in May 1983, 13 Senators voted against putting the question to the people. Those 13 included former President Mary Robinson, former Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness and Deputy Shane Ross.