Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

On behalf of this side of the House I thank the Minister and his officials for all their work on this legislation. I also acknowledge the fine contributions made during all the debates on this issue, much of which the Minister has taken on board. While he always seems to listen to what is said in this House he does not always do everything we ask. At least he listens and makes some amendments and improvements.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs touches all of us from the minute a child is born to the time of one's death, whether for birth certificates, death certificates, social welfare——