Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This amendment relates to parliamentary oversight and accountability in the Dáil.I do not think there is an issue with the Minister of State regarding that either. We talk about the quality of the debate in the Upper House, which I acknowledge, but it would be great if a Minister could come into the House and just support a very reasonable amendment. I know the Minister of State spoke about the collective in Government, and I appreciate that. There is a corporate collective overview and one cannot have people deviating all over the place. Again, that confuses the message, so I know where the Minister of State is coming from.

This is my last opportunity to speak so I wish to, again, say "Well done" to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for coming to the House and for really engaging with us not in a typical manner by reading off typed sheets. She deals with the facts and brings her own genuine concern, compassion and empathy to everything she does and her contribution is no exception. This debate is one of the better debates we have ever had in the House. I wish to finish on that point. I say "Well done" to the Minister of State and hope she gets a bit of time out over the weekend to recharge the old battery.

I support this amendment. It relates to parliamentary oversight and, as Senator Gavan said, all it seeks to do is provide a report on information, including statistical breakdowns, on implementation of those provisions within the legislation, which is very important. We need to see that. It may not be, but we need this information on how public duty of equality and human rights is being reflected in the application of the legislation. That echoes the concerns of the debate today. We talk about information but, somehow, we have a difficulty within the Houses of the Oireachtas supporting a simple amendment. Hopefully the Minister of State will support this amendment on information. All of us across the House are legitimately entitled to have concern. There is no difference here; we all share it. I picked up the messages from everybody today. People are genuinely concerned with the need to identify the recommendations and improvements.

On supporting this amendment, I too am very conscious of and am not deaf to the conversation we had in this House today about the enormous pressures politicians in the Oireachtas come under, as well as abuse and personal attacks, for standing up for principles. We need to call that out. The Minister of State spoke about language earlier. This afternoon, there will be a protest with approximately 1,000 people expected in Merrion Square. They are right and entitled to protest once it is done in a meaningful, peaceful and respectful manner. Everyone has a right to express a view and that should be valued. As I said earlier, there were many hundreds of people who wrote to each and every one of us with concerns. They were valid personal concerns for themselves, but we have to make decisions here in the national interest. I thank the Minister of State and, in particular, Sinn Féin and the Labour Party for coming with constructive and simple but concise amendments to this Bill.