Dáil finds it a bitter bill to swallow
The Dáil was united in its vote but divided in everything else, however, one of the bitterest, most partisan days in recent Dáil history
As Labour whip Emmet Stagg nicely put it the party passed the Bill while “holding our noses”.
As the opposition bayed for blood, Michael McDowell, in querulous mood, defended his actions.
When the frenzy dies down, he said, “it will be seen that my colleagues in Government, myself and the Attorney General have acted competently, honesty, truthfully and with the best interests of children in mind.”
Pat Rabbitte summed up the speech. “The minister made a remark about the protection of our children. He then went on for the next 22 minutes to talk about the protection of his own position, self-justification for what happened.”
In between the skirmishes, McDowell more or less conceded that the legislation was rushed, may very well be imperfect, but that public pressure had forced the Government’s hand.
He said nobody should get the impression that the new laws would improve protection for children.
“Young girls who are victims of sexual predators will be challenged on their clothes, make-up and sobriety, on their presence at pubs, discos and other venues for adults,” he said.
It was left to Enda Kenny to strike the right tone, with a dignified and measured speech.
“I remind the minister of the words of a real leader, Ghandi, who said, “It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom; it is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
Labour’s hurling was like the minister’s, with plenty of timber. Rabbitte claimed that Brian Cowen and John O’Donoghue had driven the bill, against the minister’s wishes.
“The minister ... found himself between Clara and Cahirciveen, [and] soon found out who drives the Government,” he charged, to furious denials from McDowell.
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