Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt about it. I have been amazed at the interest in this Bill from countries all over the world. I have been invited to speak about this legislation in many parliaments. I was in Norway a few years back and I was invited to speak about it in Parliament in Chile a few years ago. In fact, just this year, Chile announced that it is bringing in its own version of this legislation. In May, I was with my colleague, Senator Higgins, in the European Parliament in Brussels speaking to MEPs from a number of other EU countries, all of whom are watching this legislation and wanting to know how far we are going to get with it and whether it will be passed as soon as is possible. Last month, we all know that nine EU countries, including Ireland, publicly wrote to the European Commission asking for an EU-wide ban on trade with the settlements on both goods and services. It is clear. There is no doubt about it. I have been invited to Westminster next week speak by a group over there. It is clear that momentum is shifting on this. I believe that Ireland can lead on this and people are waiting for us to lead on it. As soon as we lead on this, I genuinely believe others will follow suit.