Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity to thank Deputies for the constructive debate on this Bill. In particular, I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn and Deputy Collins as well as the other Deputies for their support. There has been cross-party support for the passage of this legislation. I welcome the broad support expressed in the House for what I believe is an innovative Bill dealing with many issues which have been outstanding for some time.

The Bill has been worked on extensively over the past year. I thank all those from my Department who have been involved in it, including Dara Breathnach, Carol Baxter and Conan McKenna. I pay tribute to them. I thank the Attorney General's Office and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for the great support, expertise and hard work involved in bringing the Bill to fruition. I pay tribute to my predecessor, Deputy Alan Shatter, for his great commitment to this legislation and the vast amount of work he put into the development of it. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, under the chairmanship of Deputy David Stanton, carried out a vast amount of work, in particular, the Opposition spokespeople in this area and the members of the committee. The committee sought and examined 37 submissions on the Bill from the broad range of stakeholders during the discussion of the heads of the Bill last year.

Inevitably in recent months there have been changes to the Bill and a development of certain issues that were raised. We have taken on board the committee's recommendations. We have been in a position to do that in several areas. I believe Committee Stage was very constructive. I hope Deputies will see that I have been in a position to take forward many of the amendments proposed by them, although perhaps not as fully as they would have preferred. I believe, however, they will be able to see that we have progressed several of the suggestions made on Committee Stage. The Department will be in a position to further develop work in several areas highlighted by Opposition Deputies, including the issue of the guardianship rights of non-marital fathers. The debate has highlighted the complexities. I believe there has been a good debate of the complexities of the area as well as the issues that need further work and I am committed to proceeding in that vein.

The amendments agreed to date provide new mechanisms for parents to complete statutory declarations under an easy process. Essentially, it involves a one-stop-shop where parents can combine birth registration and statutory declarations. That will be supportive of fathers in particular and of the family situation generally.

This is landmark legislation and it is long overdue. It supports parents in diverse families and ensures that parenting will be supported by stronger and more cohesive legislative provisions. Again, I thank Deputies and all involved who have ensured that we have completed Second Stage and passed this legislation today.

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