Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to support the Bill, as the Government spokesperson on health and children, and I commend Senator Leyden on his initiative. As I said on Second Stage, I have a clear reason for supporting it because in a certain section of the family, where there is a large farm, the owner died intestate. By the time the land was eventually sold, it was very much in debt because the family could not agree who should have it. One section of the family wanted to sign away its share to the eldest son who had no interest per se in agriculture. There was a spinster sister and bachelor brother at home who also could not agree. By the time the property was disposed of, the head was not worth the washing. There were only hundreds of pounds left because it ran into debt and was subject to compound interest. While it is fine to claim that the Succession Act provides in the event of a will not being made, nevertheless the case has been well made by the practical experience of people, not alone in this House but also outside it.

The Minister of State has a well-trained and adept legal mind, as has Senator Tuffy. They both have first-hand experience of what it means not to have made a will. It makes sense to do so. I am delighted this House has again shown itself to be progressive and innovative in proposing legislation. It will be incumbent on us all to use our membership of the House to introduce legislation when its absence impacts adversely on the communities we all serve. I again congratulate Senator Leyden and all sides of the House that have supported the Bill.