Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I probably will not use the eight minutes as much of what I would reflect upon has already been said. There is no need to engage in unwarranted repetition but I will make some points at this early Stage of the Bill, and in doing so I begin by thanking the proposers who have brought what is, no doubt, a very sincere piece of legislation before us today. We will support passage to the next Stage but we have some reservations about the application of this proposed legislation. I have no doubt we will try to address that in co-operation with colleagues in the time ahead and as we get to additional Stages of the Bill. It has been said there is a raft of deeply personal and emotive matters, and they have been outlined extensively. That is correct because of the severity of how this affects people's lives. It is a very sincere effort by the proposers in bringing the Bill before us today.

I do not need to rehearse everything at this stage. It is an important matter that must be addressed and the proposers are seeking to do that. Collaboratively we can get to a stage where we can get this right. Currently, for all the reasons outlined thus far, people are being failed or let down; they are experiencing added stress at a time of great emotional burden and trauma for themselves. If there is anything we can do to assist practically and tangibly in the process, we have the responsibility to do that. I look forward to working with the Minister and colleagues, not least the proposers of the Bill, as we move ahead.