David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Government and the Minister of State on the sensible way this matter has been handled. Unfortunately, other appointments meant I could not speak on Second Stage. I regret that. A very good job was done, despite the fact that I was not here to make some points, but they were made.

I regret the fact that the proposers of amendments, by their absence, did not allow us an opportunity to discuss them. The amendments were significant and I regret that. It is interesting, and it should be remarked upon, that Sinn Féin supports the Bill. Its members had certain interests of their own in mind, which should be noted, but they supported the Bill. That is a very welcome development.

People who were unjustly and harshly treated because they did honour to the country in fighting against the greatest tyranny known in recent centuries and were punished, penalised and held in contempt and dishonour have at last been recognised for the splendid work they did. That is particularly welcome when one considers that out at Fairview, there is a monument to someone I would not put in anything like the same category, General Seán Russell of the IRA, who died on a U-boat coming back from Nazi Germany to do his mischief in this country.

I am glad the Government has chosen this time to rectify a great injustice and I applaud the Government for so doing, the Minister of State for handling it so well and my colleagues for passing the Bill in such an appropriate manner.