Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very hard not to share the concerns of my two colleagues, Senators Norris and Ó Clochartaigh, with respect to the sheer volume of amendments. The grouping of amendments might need examination in the context of parliamentary reform. There is probably a logic in having a maximum number that may be discussed in one amendment grouping. That said, it appears that these amendments are related, diverse as they may be. They deal with ward of courts and that has never been dealt with. Long before any of us were around here, in the 1800s, the legislation governing wards of court was in place. I do not follow the royal family in England but it was probably Queen Victoria who was in charge. People who needed assistive capacity did not have any money, resources, rights or dignity. This is ensuring that people who needed assistive capacity have all those rights and their money is treated with respect. It is about ensuring their rights are not impugned in any way. I welcome that we have substantial amendments, as they are to improve the legislation. I am sure many issues were identified, not just by colleagues in the Dáil but by officials and people drafting the Bill, as it is such pioneering and ground-breaking legislation. No Government in Irish history has made an effort to tackle it.

Along with colleagues like Senators Bacik, O'Donovan and others, I was a member of the Oireachtas committee on justice, defence and equality that held exhaustive hearings and made significant recommendations in this area. The Minister of State is correct. I am a novice in the Seanad. Senator Norris has been here for 20 years or longer.