Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has thanked and congratulated everybody for their role in bringing forward the Bill and they all deserve our thanks, but it is the Minister of State who has championed the Bill. I recall speaking with her soon after she was appointed, when she said she was going to get this done. She had a meeting with Alice Doyle from Wexford and told her that the Government was going to get this completed.

This will be transformative. We often talk in the House about the impact that legislation has, but for farm families and business-owning families, this will be truly transformative. In the course of a year, through the work she has done regarding mental health and older people, the Minister of State has shown her mettle but also her empathy. She noted that this is complex legislation. The people she has had in mind throughout the process are those farm families and individuals who are affected and the Bill will make a big difference. To her, her officials and all who have been involved, I say "Well done". Everybody in the House wanted to ensure the legislation would be passed before the summer break, so I thank the Cathaoirleach and Mr. Martin Groves, Ms Bridget Doody and all the team in the Seanad Office. May we all have a peaceful and enjoyable summer.