Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Four or five years ago, when this proposal came before the House, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Michael McDowell, poured scorn on the Bill, on the basis that it was not filtered, researched or this, that or the other. I congratulate Deputy Billy Timmins because without him the Bill would not have reached the floor of the House a second time.

This morning, during Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach castigated the Opposition for not being helpful. One could not say this Bill is as important as the NAMA legislation but it is a very important Bill. The Government is presented with an opportunity, cleared by the Law Reform Commission and by everyone I have come across throughout the country. Is it not unbelievable that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform sees fit, even after all this filtering and research, to kick the Bill into touch for another six or 12 months? If he brings a Bill to the House after that time, it will contain the same measures and will have the same psychology behind it. Everyone in the country knows that the Civil Liability (Good Samaritans and Volunteers) Bill deals with what we all understand a good samaritan to be.

I cannot understand how small-minded the members of the Government are. Even after the filtering process of which I spoke, they cannot see fit to accept the Bill. I hope commentators will hear what is happening tonight. For purely political reasons - or what I would call bad blood, which is the opposite of being a good samaritan - they cannot see it in their hearts to accept something from the Opposition, even if it is outstandingly acceptable to everyone in the country. A great number of people will see through the Government charade of criticising the Opposition for not playing its part in getting the economy right. The Government may forget about Dáil reform. They do not have a clue about it. It means something different to Fianna Fáil than to anyone else.

I am a fair while in this House and I have seen great attitudinal changes. There is a certain element in Irish society who keep a stiff upper lip. They hear no evil and see no evil. These people have come to a stage in their lives where they have decided to mind their own business. I accept that many of us do not like to see anyone meddling in our business. I am talking about helping others for the greater good of families and individuals. Minding one's own business has gone too far. I grew up when the meitheal concept was common. If a neighbour was in trouble, everyone would deem it their duty to help in their hour of need. That is what the good samaritan Bill is about. No matter how one dresses it up, it is to allow us to come to the aid of someone who is in serious trouble without fear of having to walk the plank of legislation as a consequence.

I am afraid Deputy Timmins, despite the great trouble he has taken, will have to bring the Bill onto the floor of the House again because the Government will not accept it. As more people learn why the Bill was not accepted the Government will appear in a very poor light.

See this speech in context