Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and commend her for successfully getting the sexual offences Bill through the other House. It criminalises the use of prostitutes and we all look forward to getting it through the Seanad. The previous justice committee worked very hard on it and I certainly believe it will result in the protection of vulnerable women, something we all want to achieve.

From time to time, we have legislation in the House that we know will have a really meaningful effect on the lives of citizens who find themselves in very difficult and challenging circumstances. We had a grotesque phenomenon called the Celtic tiger in the first decade of this century. Many people who received significant payments as a result of catastrophic injuries would have found themselves in circumstances in which thsee payments were not channelled properly. Deals might have been done for their care that were not in their best interests. What we are seeing is a steadying of the ship that will ensure people's care is protected in the longer term. Periodic payment ensures that if particular cost-punitive treatments not yet available are required in the future to deal with a catastrophic injury, we will be able to address the matter. Thus, we will be able to provide the best possible care in 2027, just as we desire to have the best possible care provided in 2017. That is what we all want to achieve. Nobody ever wants to be in these circumstances, but when they are, we have a responsibility to ensure the proper checks, balances and protective mechanisms are in place to ensure their care is secured into the future. Those who find themselves in these circumstances are equal to citizens who are in a position to go to work and earn a decent living.

The Bill can be described as technical because the courts have been making periodic payments. However, the legislation adds a structure to process. That is what the courts wanted. The structure is extremely important. The Bill might be technical, but it will undoubtedly have a major effect on the lives of citizens. I have no doubt all parties in the House, in addition to my own, will support the Bill as we are here to do the right thing. The Bill represents one of the right things being done. As Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee said, it probably should have been introduced years ago, but many things that should have happened years ago did not. If everything happened when it should have, there would be no need for us. The Bill is good and I hope it will pass speedily through the House.