Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members for their contributions and the Minister of State not only for coming to the House, but also for learning sign language for her opening contribution. We should also remember the Minster of State's predecessor in the Department of Health, former Minister of State, Finian McGrath, with whom we had long arguments in this House on this issue. I am sure Senator Bacik remembers them.Senator Bacik, as a person who has passed legislation in opposition, will know that, at the time, this was one of only six Bills to have passed after having been introduced by Opposition Senators since the enactment of the Constitution. That shows what a job it is, as she will be aware, to pass legislation.

Not only was Grace Coyle very important in getting it passed on my end, but other officials from the Department, such as Gerry Maguire, a tireless worker whom the Minister of State will know, sat in on many meetings for many hours, along with Deaglán de Bréadún from the Department of Justice. I recall one meeting that went on for seven hours and had to be translated into sign language. It was like a Committee Stage debate in the House but it had to be translated into sign language, over and back, as it should have been. There were 24 people at the meeting. It demonstrated the level of dedication of Finian's staff and of Deaglán, Gerry Maguire, Grace and the Senators from all sides of the House who attended those meetings. Eventually, the legislation got over the line. I pay tribute to the Irish Deaf Society and all its members. They spent four decades campaigning.

We are delighted to have got this far. I thank the Minister of State for attending, as well as all Senators.