John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I thank my colleagues for their interest in this important matter and for their thoughtful contributions and amendments on Second, Committee and Report Stages. My commitment is clear. I will continue to review the Bill and I wish to make meaningful the annual report which will be laid before the Oireachtas. I hope the Oireachtas committees and the House will take note of this Bill and continue the debate on this important topic.

On a personal note, I am pleased that this, my first, Bill has been passed and I thank the Opposition spokespersons for their contributions and the manner in which the Bill was dealt with. I reiterate my commitment to consult fully with my colleagues on the detail of the secondary legislation which will give full effect to this Bill. I intend to move rapidly on this and I look forward to what I expect to be full and frank discussions.

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