Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State and her officials. As she stated, this is complex and unattractive legislation. Getting one's head around it is difficult, but something good has happened today and we have taken a giant step in protecting vulnerable people who cannot protect themselves. In this legislation, we have done human rights a great justice. While the Bill is not perfect, the spirit shown in reaching this juncture has led to a giant leap. If needs be, let us learn from this law's application and how it blends in and let us consider what changes can be made. It is milestone legislation, in that it is a significant component in the marker we must lay down in terms of the UN convention on human rights and the rights of people with disabilities. The sooner we progress legislation in this regard, the sooner we can sign off on our charter and obligations towards people with disabilities.

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