Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this Bill, which is another example of the Seanad being constructive and doing what is right. We have all dealt with people over the years who might have committed a minor offence in their teenage years and that has come back to haunt them later in life, especially in the context of the Garda vetting system. It is desperate that some people who have a small offence on their record find themselves unable to get into the United States and so forth. The legislation is welcome in that regard.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach was not in the Chair earlier, so I take the opportunity now to thank him for his courtesy and support and to wish him well in the forthcoming election. I also take this opportunity to acknowledge that the Minister here has been one of the best, if not the best, performers in the Seanad. She was my local Deputy at one stage when I was a student in UCD and when she represented Dublin South-East. We were very proud then to have somebody of the calibre of Frances Fitzgerald as our local Deputy. I am delighted and feel it has been a distinguished part of my career to have served as spokesperson on justice in this House with her as such an able and reforming Minister for Justice and Equality. She is somebody who will, as a result of the legislation she has put through the Houses, make a real difference to the lives of people in this country.