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

I welcome the Minister of State's comments. Many human rights advocacy groups have been calling for this legislation. As the Minister of State has said, it has been 144 years in the melting pot, and irrespective of the nuance of the language, it was as complex then as it has been for the team in the Department of Justice and Equality who have managed to get to this juncture through their dedication, commitment and action. I want to be associated with those acknowledgments.

Progress on the Bill was slow - it was subject to many amendments. We have always said it is far from perfect. I do not think any legislation that has ever gone through this House has been perfect, so it is no reflection on the people who have engineered to get to this juncture. It must be borne in mind that the Bill is being introduced on the back of many bad policy decisions in the area of disability. There are long waiting lists for services, social welfare and protections have been attacked for people with disability and the health service is overwhelmed with demands. There is also a concern around congregated settings and the abysmally slow and under-funded reforms required in that area. That is not to distract from the principle and spirit of the legislation. I am delighted and hope that this will put to an end a dark chapter of abysmal and unacceptable language in our legislation and will contribute greatly to the area of mental health. It is language which causes stigma. We have to do an important job in this House to improve how we deliver our message to ensure we insult nobody and do not contribute to stigma. We have to do the best we can to honour the faithful commitment that we as Oireachtas Members give to our constituents with the honour of our office.

I acknowledge the hard work to date and wish the Minister of State a happy Christmas. I acknowledge the work and commitment of Phil, who has been a shining light since 2011, and one of the finest public servants in this House. I give her a bualadh bos.

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