Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Wallace. I found this debate very useful and Senator Daly's last words were very close to what I would have said myself.

The aim in introducing this Bill on behalf of the Independent Senators was to achieve shorter waiting lists and fewer deaths. I believe the Minister of State's comments that this Bill contains many useful elements and is heading in the right direction. If that is to be the start, so be it. I really appreciate the amount of effort put in by so many people today. I had taken notes and was going to comment on each of them but I will not attempt to do so.

I am heartened by the overall experience because the Minister of State spoke of coming together to further discuss and have public consultation. Those were the words of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, as well. I believe that is what the objective is — to further this on that basis.

I appreciate all the effort that has been put in. I have learned two things from this process. One is that Pope Benedict XVI carries a donor card, which I did not know. Mr. Mark Murphy, who is in the Visitors Gallery, has responsibility for this area. I do not know if he gave the donor card to the Pope but I am delighted to know he has it. I learned the other fact yesterday, and it is that one of the reasons the United States has more donations than Canada is because of the number of gunshot deaths that occur there. It is a reminder of the things we learn when we introduce legislation.

I am happy to adjourn this debate because of what the Minister of State said. I believe the Minister will achieve what she and I are both setting out to do.