Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome these amendments. I thank Senator Reilly and all the parties in the Seanad for their support for this important legislation. With regard to Senator Devine's point, while the Bill outlines where we wish to see the strategy go, it is important that it does not try to become the strategy. In fairness, just like the Seanad has been doing through its public consultation around mental health, as Senator Devine has said, the idea of this Bill is to enable and ensure the development of a strategy. As we put the strategy together, it is very important that we will not have been overly prescriptive in the primary legislation in order to enable the voices of the parent and the child or adult with autism to be heard on what they need to happen. I am conscious, in putting together this important legislation, that we have not yet reached the part where their voices are heard. The amendments are balanced and fair in that regard, in making sure there are no unintended consequences by leaving somebody out or by having the Bill misread. At the same time they need to leave enough flexibility for the strategy to actually evolve as we engage with the community.