Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In that case, I want to come back in, because someone has to call this out. There is a horrific and unacceptable silence from the Minister here. It is completely unacceptable. I also want to speak to our colleagues in Government. I commend what Senator Seery Kearney said earlier today. She spoke out very clearly against the six-month rule. We have heard nothing from Fianna Fáil at all today. That is just not good enough. Ultimately, if you vote in favour of this Bill, you are voting to let down those survivors. That has to be called out. The responsibility right now rests with the Minister. For the second time today, he is effectively sitting in his chair in silence. I know he has the right to do that, but is it the right thing to do? Is it acceptable? Does the Minister think the people sitting at home today watching this debate will feel this is acceptable and that it shows any respect to them? It is not good enough. I also note that three weeks have passed between Second Stage and Committee Stage. What consideration did the Minister give to any of the arguments we made on Second Stage? It appears he has given zero consideration to them. There were voices from across the Chamber asking for changes and the Minister has ignored all of them. We need an explanation for that.