Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will add to what the Chairman and Deputy Howlin have outlined. I look forward to a speedy passage of this Bill and the support of all committee members and the Dáil and Seanad. I thank Deputy Howlin for the huge volume of work he has done on this issue and I agree with him that while the stylistic approach might be different, the intention is exactly the same. To be clear, the intention of the original Bill as set out is very much the same and, obviously, where we can develop and where there are potentially other areas that need further discussion and engagement, I am very much committed to doing that at a later stage in other legislation if needs be.

This issue has come to the fore in recent weeks as one that needs to be addressed. That is why, working with Deputy Howlin, I have prioritised it and look forward to, hopefully, passing it as quickly as possible, much quicker than a few months.