Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I thank the House for its co-operation. I regret that I was not able to participate in the debate on Committee Stage. I thank all those who contributed. There has been broad consensus. We have all met some of the victims and in any dialogue we have we need to remember that they remain victims. It behoves us to do the best we can within limited resources. We need to understand why in some cases their contribution and dialogue with us has been tortuous because they carry the scars of their victimhood from an early time.

I record my appreciation for the work and commitment of the officials in the Department of Education and Skills towards the finalisation of the legislation in this House.

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