Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----and the timelines they are up against. I thank them for that. Unfortunately it gives us very little time to consider it or to discuss it with our colleagues. We are a small group of five Senators and other groups have bigger numbers. I ask the Leader to take on board the difficulties and practicalities around that and to use her position as Leader of the House to do something about it going forward. She might also address that point in her response to the House today on the Order of Business. I therefore do not support this item. I do not believe there is any good enough reason to not have an Order of Business tomorrow. That is our prerogative and our call.These issues can be addressed tomorrow. We are in a difficulty in respect of Covid, and I accept and respect the difficulties around those issues, but I want that addressed. I have an alternative, which I propose to deal with later on with the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach.

I want to say a very big thanks to the Members of Seanad Éireann who contributed to the debate on mother and baby homes. I particularly ask Members to read the contributions made yesterday in Dáil Éireann by our Deputies. They were very moving and compelling. If anyone was in any doubt as to whether not to support the Bill, which will be before us tomorrow, this was an opportunity. I will make a final appeal, as someone who has lived this experience. I am not interested in what the historians want to say. I am interested in what the survivors want. If people cannot vote against the Bill, I ask them to abstain when it comes before the House tomorrow.