Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House, as well as the Tánaiste's statement earlier this afternoon. She has handled this whole business properly and with integrity. She has done what one should do when one discovers a mess that is not of one's own making. She took advice and she took remedial action. The Bill was struck down after the Supreme Court was consulted and she will bring forward new proposals in the light of that.

This saga, which affects the rights of our citizens and especially our elderly and more vulnerable citizens, shows that a parliamentary and constitutional system works. The system of parliamentary accountability contributed to the Bill being brought forward in December. It was correct that every precaution be taken and that a Bill affecting people's rights be referred to the Supreme Court, especially given the limited capacity of the people affected to take legal action. We have a system in this State where the President can exercise a veto on legislation following constitutional advice, and has a duty to do so. That worked well in this instance. I can understand the decision of the Supreme Court and the reasons given. I have not heard anyone say that the Supreme Court got it wrong.

There will be an investigation on how the legal doubts were ignored over the past 28 years. A couple of points need to be made on that subject.