Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I assure the House that the Minister will be delivering on the commitments. Now that the Bill is finally passing into law it will not be long before Members will see action on the part of the Minister. I thank the Members for a very interesting debate on this legislation. I thank the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach and the staff of the House. I know the Minister particularly enjoys the debates in this House and that is probably the reason he gives it so much time. As a former Member of the House I agree it is important the Minister attends. He asked me to attend on his behalf only because he is taken up with very important business in Belfast today.

As Senator Norris pointed out, this is a very complex piece of legislation. Our officials in the Department did an excellent job in the preparation of this legislation. I thank them for the comprehensive briefing given to me as I came to the debate at a late stage. The people have made their choice and this legislation implements that choice. I hope it gives genuine people the right to Irish citizenship while at the same time protecting Irish citizenship from those who do not deserve to have it.