Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to acknowledge the importance of this legislation. It is a Private Members' Bill. It is not often that we have an opportunity in either House to complete all Stages of a Private Members' Bill from start to finish. I was very pleased, on behalf of the Government, to assist Senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell, Colm Burke and Lynn Ruane on this legislation. I am aware that all the Senators, particularly Senator Burke, were keen to ensure this issue was never far from the priority list in terms of the ordering of business here in the Seanad. I am pleased we were able to come forward with amendments before the end of this session, which will mean the Bill will be ready for transmission to the Dáil. Given that there is only a short period of time left, I do not suppose I can promise that the Bill will be taken in the Dáil in the next couple of weeks but we are ready to proceed in early autumn.

On behalf of the Government, I acknowledge the importance of collaboration in this regard. The debate we have had in the past hour or more shows that, working together, we can bring about improvements. We have a short but important Bill containing 11 sections. The fact that we had 50 amendments indicates the approach of the Government in that regard. I thank my officials, in particular, Ms Regina Terry.

It was the preferred choice of the Government that we would accept the Bill in the names of the Senators and amend it rather than take the easier option of casting it aside and coming back at some stage with a Government proposal. I am very pleased that the hallmark of this legislation, as it is enacted on the Statute Book, will bear the names of Senators Lynn Ruane, Marie-Louise O'Donnell and Colm Burke. That is testament to their important contribution as legislators. I am aware of the impact of this Bill and that these provisions will have an important and positive consequence, fortunately on a very small number of people. Once enacted, the Bill will bring a degree of certainty, comfort and normality into the lives of those who continue to mourn a loved one who has gone missing.Of all the engagements I have had in my diary over the past 12 months, National Missing Persons Day in Farmleigh was perhaps the most poignant I have experienced. I want to acknowledge the work of the Garda Síochána missing persons bureau and the continued engagement of members of An Garda Síochána up and down the country on these most sensitive issues involving human tragedy. I do not in any way presume to suggest that the Bill will assuage the grief of individuals and families in any way, but I have no doubt it will make a contribution in terms of taking a vital step which will enable people to move in a positive direction with their lives, even where there is a large measure of distress attended on that movement.

I thank Senators for introducing the Bill and my officials for ensuring that the Bill is now in a position where it can be regarded as legally robust and sound. I am pleased that we all worked together and I hope we can move matters on to the Lower House for the autumn session.