Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, to the House.

I too support Senator Crown. In fact, Senator Quinn's statement that Senator Crown feels he will not be able to stand for election again if he does not see meaningful reform has saddened me somewhat.

Senators Quinn, Crown and Zappone have all been pushing for reform. Many would argue that the referendum was based on the belief that there would be reform. I am not at all convinced that we will see any reform coming from the report that was done by former Senators Manning and O'Toole and others, which was a great piece of work. Based on that, I want to add my voice, and indeed my vote, to the support for Senator Crown's Bill.

I hope any notion that Senator Crown might depart this House will leave him as quickly as he leaves the House today and that he will return. The Senator has been a significant spokesperson for legislative reform and, indeed, for the medical profession and the treatment of patients nationally. I hope that if the Government does not accept this Bill, it will not in any way deter him from returning.

In 1979, we passed a referendum. Two years ago, we passed a referendum. I honestly do not believe there will ever be reform unless some brave Minister - Deputy Coffey is brave - will take the step of adopting a Bill, and we can change it through legislation afterwards if need be. I ask the Minister of State to accept it.