The Minister for Finance has said lessons are to be learnt as to why some members of government were not aware of the Supreme Court challenge to legislation concerning statutory rape.
Brian Cowen has defended the government's handling of the fallout from the Supreme Court decision to strike down the law that dates back to 1935.
Meanwhile, Opposition leaders have called on the Goverment to establish an All-Party Oireachtas Committee to re-examine the new legislation enacted on Friday concerning statutory rape.
The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, said he supports the raising of the age of sexual consent to 17 years.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the legislation was 'beyond belief' and would not last until the end of the year.
