John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was amusing myself by working out how much of the original Bill had been left and thought I would give a brief graphic demonstration of the deletions made. I would also like to give a graphic demonstration of what is left of the original Bill. What is left of the Bill is "Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows". In keeping with the spirit and intent of the Bill and the co-operation of the Government, I am pleased that we will support the amendments. I would like to make one small statement of gratitude. There are some folk who did a huge job in bringing this initiative to where it is. It is where it is because it originated with folk in Seanad Éireann and their staff. I thank Senators Mark Daly and Jillian van Turnhout who have been constant supporters of this legislation. Senator Jillian van Turnhout and her colleagues have done much of the running in making sure the Bill negotiates the parliamentary process. She is more skilled at that task. I thank Mr. Shane Conneely who was my adviser throughout the process. He wrote the original Bill and thought through most of the arguments for the defences that should be included. I am glad that we have had the refining influence of the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and Equality to ensure it will be easy to enforce, but I would not like Shane's contribution to this effort to go unrecorded, as it was extraordinary.