David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody who has contributed. The people present have given their personal stories which cannot be easy to do and for which I salute them. I have been Chairman of the joint committee for almost five years and almost 600 people have given evidence to us on topics including criminal law, insolvency, burglary, prostitution and missing persons. It goes on and on and we have sent 35 reports to the Government. The submissions made today have been some of the most powerful, sensible, well thought out and well researched I have heard and I congratulate those who have made them. While I usually speak last, I have been very moved by them. From what I have heard, unless I am persuaded otherwise, I will support the proposal. There are anomalies that could be addressed on Committee Stage and it must be done. Whether it can be done before the end of the year remains to be seen, as a raft of legislation has backed up. The delegates have put down a very powerful marker, for which I congratulate them. Given that it is her Bill, Deputy Anne Ferris will speak first.