Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ó Domhnaill's colleagues in the Dáil will assure him that in any briefings that I have done, I have included people from a variety of perspectives on this issue. I have no difficulty in doing that again. After Committee Stage in the Dáil, I invited anyone who had participated in the debate and wished to partake to do so.I have no difficulty in arranging that through the Seanad Office or whatever is the appropriate forum.

I do not believe at this stage I should add any more to what I have already said other than to point out that Deputy Alan Kelly and others raised this issue in the Dáil. I sought the advice of the Attorney General as a result of that. That advise was that the word "avert" provided more clarity on this issue but in light of Senator Higgins's comments on Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's amendment, I will do the same again. I will engage with the Senator in advance of Report Stage.