Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I will share time with those Deputies. The need to introduce such a Bill as the one before us this evening dates back to 2003 when publicly available defibrillators first came on stream. Following research and consultation, my colleague, Deputy Billy Timmins, introduced the first Good Samaritan Bill in 2005. Tonight, I commend him for continuing to raise this matter.

The new Bill in the names of Deputies Timmins and Charles Flanagan gives protections to the nationwide movement by people to take in charge their own ability to discharge help towards those who might have suffered cardiac arrest in their communities. This movement manifested itself in the many sporting organisations and community associations that purchased defibrillation equipment. In turn, this created networks of volunteers selflessly making themselves available if something occurs in their communities.

I applaud Deputy Timmins's tenacity on this issue. I have no doubt that, until Fine Gael's Private Members' business was published last Friday, the Minister had little intention of proceeding with the LRC's recommendations, which were consequential to Deputy Timmins's work in 2005. Listening to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stating yesterday that he was going to enact the legislation in conjunction with the granting of a liquor licence to the national conference centre was peculiar. If he really wanted to expedite the passage of this legislation, he could tack it onto the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 or whatever else might be knocking around the Cabinet table in the next couple of weeks.

In the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the good Samaritan. In it, a Jewish traveller is beaten, robbed and left half dead on the roadside. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by and helps the man. Today, one could assign the roles of priest and Levite to the former and current Ministers, Michael McDowell and Deputy Dermot Ahern, respectively. Both have chosen to pass by and ignore the concerns of those who act in good faith on behalf of their neighbours in times of need.

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