Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We in Fianna Fáil have actively supported both the concept and the detail of this Bill from the outset. Many of the contributions to date have taken up nearly all the points I had intended making and, therefore, I will not delay the House other than to say I agree with everything said by colleagues on all sides.

I endorse the welcome extended to those in the Gallery, who are directly affected by this legislation. This must be a very happy day for them but I could not help but reflect that here is the full power of both Government and Parliament combined in addressing an issue that affects a small group of people and acknowledges that, irrespective of the size of that minority, they are citizens of this country and are entitled to full rights here. I am sure they would recognise that the legislative process they have been following closely since the inception of this Bill has gone a long way to recognising and acknowledging them as equal citizens and that they should not walk out of here feeling that they are in any way diminished but are instead empowered by what is happening today, and what happened in the other House. I am very happy to be associated with that. I am somewhat diminished in the face of the enormous challenges that have faced this group of people throughout their lives. I do not believe any of us can understand what they have and are going through but, hopefully, the dawn has come after the dark night of their existence so far.

I would like to record a tribute to my colleague, Senator Power, who initially took on this role-----