James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to continue in that fashion. I welcome the Minister. This is yet another Bill that is very straightforward and simple. While it is perhaps technical in nature, it is very necessary. It is about updating our laws. Some of the precious metals were not even discovered at the time of the original hallmarking legislation and certainly palladium needs to be included. I would like to comment on hallmarking as a consumer issue. It is very important that people are protected, get what they are paying for and can be assured that there is a standard ensuring that what they are purchasing is what it purports to be and will stand the test of time. The Minister is absolutely right that Ireland is full of the history of wedding rings being handed down through the generations. They are of huge sentimental value and it is a tremendous disappointment if they are found not to be of the material they were supposed to be.

I do not intend to delay. The legislation needs to be updated and the Minister has taken a very common-sense approach. The fact that everybody here and those who work in the industry are in agreement is further evidence of the Minister's due diligence before bringing the Bill to the House. I commend her and the Bill.