Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The practice normally is that just one person from each group speaks to welcome the passage of legislation I am happy to welcome the passage of the Bill on behalf of the Labour group. I commend Senator Lawless on his great work in getting it through. For all the reasons I and others have given, it is important that we see it through. I hope it goes to the Dáil. We live in a republic and it is an important step in the development of a more mature attitude to alcohol consumption and also in the separation of church and State. The points about harm done by alcohol are well made as are the points about workers' rights. However, those are not irreconcilable with the merit of the Bill. I thank the Minister and his officials for accepting the Bill. It is good to see a Private Members' Bill, introduced by a Member of the Opposition, pass through the Seanad. We have had a number of these and this is another success for the Seanad.