Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of Fianna Fáil I welcome all of the contributors here today. They are the people on whom this legislation will have a direct effect.

It is a red letter day for Senators Bacik and Nash. They have been here before and I commend them on all of the work that they have done on the legislation. It is a level headed piece of legislation.

I commend the Minister. As a Senator, I have found her to be one of the hardest working Ministers around. She has made herself available to discuss anything about a business matter for anyone who cares to engage with her. This is the first legislation that has been passed since the formation of the new Dáil and Seanad but that does not happen by chance. Only for the Minister, her Department and the two Senators who worked hard to push the legislation through, it would not be here. To follow on from what Senator Reilly said, this legislation is an example of the great work that takes place in the Seanad. Legislation can be initiated in the Seanad and moved on. I am curious to know why the Taoiseach is hell bent on cutting the Seanad to pieces. Reform is the word but I am curious to know what he is trying to achieve.