Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I wish to express my appreciation to Deputy Penrose not only for proposing the motion, but also for his work on the Bill he intends to publish when he gets the opportunity, which I hope will be sooner rather than later.

One would imagine that there would be many more people in the Gallery tonight for a debate on a sensitive issue such as the rights of carers, especially when one considers the number of people who work as carers and feel strongly about their job. The small attendance in the Gallery does not mean that this is not a burning issue, but is a reflection of the fact that those who work as carers find it extremely difficult to get any free time to themselves.

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