Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I congratulate Senator Bacik for bringing forward this matter and for being to the forefront in ensuring it has reached this stage, which is long overdue. As I said earlier in the debate, this issue was raised with me 19 years ago. It has moved on in most other European countries and I am delighted Senator Bacik has brought it forward and pressed on with it.

I thank the Minister for having his Department take the issue on board. It is important legislation, particularly given the number of people who have come to Ireland from countries with different cultures. There may be issues in regard to the procedures that are accepted in a cultural context in other countries and people from those countries may feel the same culture should apply in the new country to which they move. People are put under extreme pressure and it is important we send out a clear message that these are the laws we have in place. We must ensure it is an offence for a person to try to take another person out of the country. It is important this is a comprehensive Bill, which, when enacted, will send out that clear message.

It is important to acknowledge the work done by the many voluntary organisations through the years in seeking this change in legislation and in following it through all the way and sticking with it. It is unfortunate it has taken so long. A draft Bill was brought to the House in 2001 and it has taken ten years for legislation to finally go through. Perhaps there is an issue in regard to the effective use of the Seanad in dealing with this type of legislation in that we must make sure it is not long-fingered. I thank the Department and Senator Bacik for ensuring we reached this stage and that the legislation will be enacted in the not too distant future.