Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Briefly in response, I am grateful to Senator Conway-Walsh for reading out what I understand is the substance of the specialist legal opinion received by the Government. This is a Private Member's Bill that is being supported by the Government. I confirm that my party also supports it but we are concerned about this aspect of the Bill. We cannot say any more that this would be an unforeseen consequence now that it has been foreseen by Deputy Penrose and by me. The Government has now taken advice on it and I am glad to hear that it is satisfied that this issue is dealt with adequately. I would have liked to see that advice or the substance of the response in advance of this debate. That would have been better practice. I checked with Deputy Penrose who says that he did not hear back from the Minister of State on this issue. In order to resolve the issue more swiftly, it might have been a good idea to have provided Deputy Penrose with a response. In the circumstances, I will not be pressing the matter but am anxious to put my concerns on the record of the House.