Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Michael McGrath for bringing this issue forward. I am very pleased he has done so. I thank every Member of the House who has helped and supported me and the Government in passing legislation. This time last year we did not have the Insurance (Amendment) Bill, the Central Bank (National Claims Information Database) Bill or the PIAB Bill passed. Those three important pieces of legislation have been concluded through both Houses with Members' help and co-operation. I thank Members for that and I hope and expect such co-operation will continue. I thank Deputy Michael McGrath in particular. He has been essential and helpful to these three pieces of legislation.

I say to everyone who talked about the Minister, Deputy Ross, that he is not blocking anything. I want to correct Deputy Troy on the period that has passed since the launch of the Personal Injuries Commission report. It was launched in September 2018, not July 2016, so it is seven months old. I did not anticipate that the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill would get stuck behind the filibustering in the Seanad. I do not think anyone else anticipated that either. My expectation was that the Bill would be finished by the end of last year.

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