I did not interrupt the Senator and I accept his right to make the comment but we should not go down the road of tangential commentary. This is a very sensitive matter-----

It is important.

I am entitled to my view. Let us have that debate in a respectful manner. I would be very happy to have the debate because it is one we need to have in a respectful and tolerant manner.

Is the Leader promising a debate on that because I raised an important point about the inappropriateness of a member of the Executive having those views given that she is responsible for children? It is a simple point.

The Senator is doing it again. He did it in the past and is trying to do it again. I ask him not to do it.

That is just a rhetorical device. It is a serious point about human rights and human dignity.

I am too. This is about an issue - a constitutional matter - not about a personal view of a Minister or an individual Member of any House of the Oireachtas.

The Minister has very radical views.

The Minister is entitled to her opinion.

Through the Chair.

It has not impacted on her doing her work. She is a very fine Minister.

In other ways, yes, but in this way, sadly, it is a disgrace.