Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for attending this session. We have created a precedent. I express my thanks to the Leader, Senator O'Rourke, who encourages Members to use a function, which is open to Members of both Houses but is especially active in this House, to bring in legislation. Successful legislation has been tabled in this House. Members will recall the Suicide Bill tabled by the then Senator Dan Neville. Other Bills have been acted upon by the Government. The then Senator Mary Robinson tabled Bills as well as other Members, including Senator Norris, Senator Browne and others.

It is unusual that I, as a member of the Front Bench of the Government side, was given permission to publish a Bill and have it passed in this House. This is an historic occasion. This Bill will alert people to the need to make a will and solicitors to be careful about where they store it and that executors should be informed.