Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Since this is significant legislation, we can all be justifiably proud when it concludes. There has been interaction in this Chamber and outside and everyone has had engagement with NGOs and people with an interest. It is important that this be acknowledged. Everyone has made an input into the Bill and there will be further changes because we will continue to listen. Members' further engagement with NGOs before 10 November, when the Bill is scheduled for the Seanad, will prove important, as it will provide us with a greater understanding. Apart from one or two officials and the people in Galway and the NGO sector, the rest of us are still only learning about this important matter. We are doing what many countries have not done and they are looking to us. One country in particular is waiting for us to move, as it intends to take what we have done and implement it.

I thank the Deputies for their involvement. This is not a sexy Bill and it did not move quickly, but that pace contributed to what we have achieved. This legislation is something to which people will refer. It will have an impact on everyone in terms of birth injuries, acquired injuries, dementia, Alzheimer's and so on as we move through life and if we are lucky enough to reach old age. I appreciate everyone's contribution to the debate. I also appreciate people's patience with the Bill. We could have concluded this two years ago, but Professor Gerard Quinn told me that we could do a better job if we slowed the process down and talked to those who had greater levels of expertise. That advice has served us well.

The officials who usually sit quietly next to me in the Chamber have been incredible. They are now the experts in this area, having learned much as the legislation progressed. They have been the ones to say that we should change the Bill, that it is not person centric enough and that we could do better. Whole groups of people have approached us. Some are in the public gallery. They brought their expertise, advice and knowledge to bear on this legislation.

Deputy Keaveney stated that, in the event that there were changes in our thinking, circumstances, the evidence or what we acknowledged, there was nothing preventing us from reverting to this legislation and adding to or deleting from it. Good legislation should not be static. It should be fluid, particularly when it is legislation such as this that impacts on everyone's life. We must be prepared to be flexible in this regard.

I thank all of the Deputies for their participation. This is not the end of the process and they will continue having an interest in one way or another. That is as it should be, as we are servants of the people and, more than other legislation, this Bill is about how we live.

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