Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach-Ghníomhach. Ba mhaith liom fáilte mhór a chur roimh an Aire, an Teachta McHugh go dtí an Teach seo inniu. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis as an bpost nua atá aige freisin. I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate him on his appointment. It is good to see someone promoted from a Border county and particularly someone from my own native county of Donegal. I sincerely wish him well. I also extend a warm welcome to the people in the Gallery. They are very welcome to this discussion on this important issue. I also congratulate Senator Kelleher, and her colleagues, on bringing forward this legislation. It is disappointing that it has to be done but it is necessary. I compliment them on this.

From a Fianna Fáil perspective, we fully support the Bill, as we did on Second Stage. We look forward to the Bill travelling swiftly through the Houses. I have no doubt that the Minister, Deputy McHugh, will follow in his predecessor's footsteps by ensuring this legislation passes in both Houses without delay. It is sad that we have to bring this forward. I note the comments of my colleague, Senator Mac Lochlainn, on the remarks made by one of the presidential candidates this afternoon. I hope the picture is not as bleak as he has painted it. The people will have the opportunity and time to make their own decision in that regard. I am confident they will do the right thing.

When we talk about any section of our society, it is important that every child, regardless of his or her background or history, should have an equal opportunity to achieve all he or she wants and all he or she is capable of in life. By bringing this Bill forward and, as Senator Mac Lochlainn outlined, by creating a platform where people can educate themselves about the history of the Traveller movement, perhaps then there might be better understanding of their journey and what they had to undertake to get this far. Much has been said by my colleagues in the House on this issue and I will not repeat all that has been said. We, in Fianna Fáil, fully support this Bill. It is unusual, if I can use that term, to bring in legislation to facilitate this. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, would normally facilitate this goal, as the previous speaker mentioned. Either way, however, that is a technicality and the main thing is that we all speak with one voice on this issue. We all want to see this legislation brought through as quickly as possible so that the comments Senator Mac Lochlainn referred to will be very much in the past.