Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Clonan is a reasonable person. He will be perfectly happy if the Minister comes in here and looks at debating a lot of the issues within the legislation. I am certain the Minister of State will be quite happy to go through this on Committee Stage to look at how we can improve and develop the legislation. The Leader is very happy that we table lots of debates. Everybody in this House knows about the importance of particular cases. I therefore ask the Minister of State that we come back and work together on this. It is only fair. We should not be trying to create division on an issue about which we are all particularly passionate. I am confident the Minister of State can provide a leadership role in this. She knows we will have her back. She can be assured of it in the months ahead when she must go negotiating with the Ministers, Deputies Michael McGrath and Donohoe. However, we need to have that broader debate around the change in culture and society and we need to shine a light on the Departments of Health and Education especially, but on other areas as well, to change that culture. I do not want to have to deal with another case of somebody who feels he or she must spend his or her time fighting against the system. I hope, therefore, we can reach some form of compromise and some form or agreement this evening.