Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I disagree slightly with Senator Browne on the point he has made about wills. I made the point earlier. There is nothing wrong with not making a will. There are advantages to making a will. As a result of the reforming legislation brought in by the late Brian Lenihan, one is provided for fairly even when there is no will. It is important to say that. When a will is made there are huge advantages for the testator to control what happens and it reduces the procedures and the costs. There is nothing wrong in not making a will. There can be as many problems in families after a will has been drawn up. There can be family differences in the same way as if no will was made.

That said, the legislation is a good idea. It is an issue that affects people's lives as reflected in the support for Senator Leyden when he had the initial idea. The calls to radio stations reflected a huge interest because the matter is obviously an issue of concern. The principle is good and the question is how to implement it. Senator Leyden has shown that we should bring forward legislation. We do a great deal of work on legislation by amending Bills and so on but none of that is recognised by the media and the public at large. I commend Senator Leyden on the Bill.