Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend all Members of the House for their participation in this very important legislation. I commend the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, on his engagement, for listening and stewardship. It is important that, as Senator Higgins said, it is a single piece in the jigsaw but it sends out a very clear message from the country's Parliament. It addresses the needs of women and children primarily, but as Senator Conway-Walsh noted, it also affects men which we should not forget. There is a duty on us to work collaboratively with all the organisations. I want to pay tribute to Noleen Blackwell for her work. It is also important to recognise former Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, for what she did in her time in the Department. It is important to pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Flanagan. It would be easy for a Minister immersed in a Department with a list of controversies or issues, to put such a Bill to one side, but he did not do that. He prioritised it, for which I thank him.

As a society, we need to look at this issue in the context of our national relationship with alcohol, addiction and gambling and how we can improve mental health. Senator Conway was correct in commending former Senator Tony Mulcahy on his bravery and his immersion in the Bill when he was a Member of the previous Seanad. I thank him. It was the personal stories such as Tony's and also of so many women that helped to shape minds and bring about change. I thank the officials in the Department. They are often criticised but they also deserve credit. Senator Conway was correct that this is a good day. The Oireachtas delves into legislation and makes positive changes. I thank all Members of the House. We can put aside our political difference on other issues, this is something that unites us. We may have a different approach in how to get to the end, but we are united in our aim to improve the lives of our citizens and, in this case, primarily women and children.