Dan Boyle (Green Party)

The passage of a Private Members' Bill in either House is a rare and significant event. I thank those who helped us to arrive at this stage. The passage of this important Bill which relates to a weapon that is horrible in its content and effect is a statement of what this House and the country can do to bring about a better world. I thank the staff of the Bills Office for the assistance they offered us when we were preparing the Bill. I thank the officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs who shared their expertise in parsing its various sections. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, for his ongoing support both this evening and on Second Stage. I thank Opposition Senators for their full-blooded co-operation throughout our consideration of the Bill. I thank the staff of the Seanad Office for their help with the procedures involved in bringing a Private Members' Bill through all Stages which is, as I said, a significant and rare event.

We now have to consider whether we should try to bring the legislation through the Dáil in Private Members' time. Perhaps the Government will choose to adopt the spirit of the Bill. We will have interesting negotiations on the matter. I encourage all Members to use the co-operation they enjoy with Members of the other House and legislators in other European Parliaments to try to have this concept accepted. I especially thank many of Afri's key workers in Ireland who have helped to push it. I also thank those involved in the international campaign against the use of depleted uranium weapons. I hope today's events will be marked by those of us who sit in this Chamber and others who care about making progress on this agenda. I thank everyone for their co-operation.