Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I support the comments made. The legislation is a journey through our history. I wondered what I had got myself into when, as leader of my party in the Seanad, I was presented with the Bill, but when I began to read it, I wanted to read more about it and the interesting questions it raised. The production of the explanatory document may not have done much other than slow us down and give us more to talk about but it was very helpful. I intend to hold on to it because it is full of information.

I am still intrigued by the fact that we intend to retain legislation going back as far as 1204. One of the earliest pieces of legislation included in Schedule 1 dates to then and is retained because a court action taken in connection with it might involve the courts having to adjudicate all the way back to then.

Not many countries in the world have gone through a process similar to this, where after 700 or 800 years of being governed from another place, the country set off on its own. I can think of other countries that were colonised for 100 or 200 years but we had a form of colonial relationship for 700 or 800 years. Therefore, there is an enormous amount of legislation. The work is worthwhile and the trawl through history is fascinating. The information provided to us by the Minister of State and officials, both in his Department and the Office of the Attorney General, was interesting and stimulating.

I wish the Minister of State well in the work. It is a great service to the country to simplify and codify the legal base of our State. It may mean lawyers may have to be paid a little less in the future as they will not have to trawl back through 800 years of legislation.

I only make this comment out of good humour. I am still intrigued by the fact that we must retain a Bill about the tithing of turnips severed from the ground. I am intrigued that perhaps this may have something to do with the production of forage foodstuff for livestock. It is entertaining that we must hold on to such legislation.

I wish the legislation well. I am sure it will not get as good debate in the other House.