Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

I endorse the sentiments expressed regarding the Minister. I compliment her on the manner in which this Bill has been taken in both Houses. It is no great surprise to me that the Minister is a person of great clarity, as I have come to know over the years in her work in other areas. I am delighted that she has piloted this Bill through the Houses. It establishes a further milestone in the learning curve for us all.

Along with other countries we have been on a learning curve as to how to deal with these most horrible experiences, the detail of which we will not mention now. I congratulate the Minister for the accommodating and understanding manner in which she has steered the Bill through the other House and particularly this one. She has clarified all the issues brought to her attention. I also thank the Department officials for their helpful and accommodating assistance.

I refer briefly to a reference made to one of the Minister's predecessors. In fairness to all concerned at that time we were at a very early stage and I do not want to dwell on the matter. The Department of Education and Science had sought to learn from the experiences in other countries. Some of the decisions at the time could have been made with greater enlightenment. However, it is not for me to criticise anybody. When mistakes were made these were acknowledged. We can learn from mistakes and make improvements, and we are seeing the improvements.

I am very heartened by this Bill, which addresses head-on the principle that justice delayed is justice denied.