Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the passage of this legislation. The anomaly that arose was not foreseen and, thankfully, has now been resolved. I hope that it will give comfort to those families affected, especially those impacted by the restraints.

The passage of this Bill should serve as a template for instances where obvious political consensus exists and where the early passage of a Bill will have an immediate impact. The Bill was not railroaded through but some of the more cumbersome aspects of the legislative process were removed by consensus. The Bill was introduced in 19 November and only four months later, it is now back in the Seanad having passed all Stages. I ask the Minister to talk to her colleagues and recommend that this approach is a very effective. It is one that works. If could be taken on this issue, it can be done to progress other Bills that have obvious political consensus behind them but which may be stuck in the legislative process. My party welcomes the Bill reaching the Final Stages today with that message that we could do this in other areas where there is consensus.