Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fine Gael Senators in the Seanad, I would like to commend the Minister in the first instance for being the person who has committed to ensuring we got to the stage. I pay tribute to the former Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, for her significant role in this and also to our colleague and current Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton. Even when the Minister of State was Chairman of the Oireachtas committee, he had done significant preparatory work on this issue in terms of bringing in the stakeholders, hearing their stories and producing the report, which was important at the time. I was a member of the committee with Senator Ivana Bacik and others, and very important work was done. I also pay tribute to our former colleague, Tony Mulcahy.Sometimes, during the process legislative process, people give testimony. All of us in the justice committee will remember Tony Mulcahy's personal testimony at the time. I was in contact with Tony last week. He is very pleased that we have reached this day. On this important day, I want to remember his contribution here.

We have done tremendous work in this House to enhance the Bill. I wish to pay tribute to everyone who played various roles on this, including Senators Kelleher and Bacik. There is no point in naming everyone, they will know the work they did. It was a collaborative effort. It is an important example of why the Seanad should not have been abolished. Great work has been done since the referendum. We are always looking for ways of improving but sometimes it is good to acknowledge the positive, extremely important contribution that the Seanad continues to make in improving legislation. I have no doubt that the legislation that we are passing today would not have the strength, depth or effectiveness, were it not for the contribution made by Members of Seanad Éireann. It is a great day. I congratulate the Minister and everyone involved.