Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Like other Senators, I am delighted to be associated with the introduction of this Bill. As Senator Hayes pointed out, it is an historic occasion in that this is the first Private Bill to come before this Seanad.

The updating of the legislation was long awaited. The previous wording was slightly antiquated and narrow. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has moved into such diversified areas of health that the current wording does not cover everything it would want to do. As a result, this legislation is before the House.