Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am in the unusual position of having to leave the Chair in order to speak briefly on the Bill. I thank Senator Wilson for taking the Chair to let me do so. I wish to add to the contributions of the Senators on Senator Swanick, the sponsor of the Bill. It is a simple yet effective way of highlighting the day. If one asked many schoolchildren and even adults when the Dáil first met and what day would be called independence day, they would not necessarily know the date. It is timely that this is being brought forward in July 2017 to give the Houses of the Oireachtas the time to deal with the legislation, rather than having to consider it in November 2018 in time for the centenary two months later. None of us will be around for the 200th anniversary, unfortunately, so I greatly appreciate Senator Swanick outlining the reasons for the Bill in his detailed contribution. I listened intently to all the contributions and all Members spoke in favour of the Bill, so everybody appears to be on the same page. I look forward to hearing the Minister's comments. Let us hope we can get the Bill through both Houses of the Oireachtas and see it take effect in time for January 2019. Again, I thank all Senators for their contributions, and particularly Senators Swanick and Wilson.