Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I extend a very warm welcome to the Minister, who is my constituency colleague, into the Chamber this afternoon for this very important piece of legislation. I commend my colleague, Senator Boyhan, and his colleagues, on bringing forward this proposed piece of legislation.

I often think about my former colleague, and I am glad to say, current friend, Terry Leyden, who did Trojan work on this particular issue in the previous term and succeeded in ensuring that the Bill passed through all Stages of the Seanad at that point. I, for one, thought that was job done in that regard and it was passed over to our good colleagues in the Lower House. Here we are back discussing the matter this afternoon, however.

From the discussion today, one thing we all have in common, and one message we would like to send out loud and clear to everyone, is the importance of making a will. That is the key message I would take from the debate this afternoon. It is vitally important that people make a will. Those who come thereafter might not like the contents but I know from experience in a different field that where no will is made, it can be a terrible thing for a family. It can result in families being broken up and split for good. That is a very sad thing and something we should try to avoid at all costs. That is the first point.

The second relates to the principle, thinking and merit behind this piece of legislation. Again, we are all on one page as regards the idea that a register of some kind could be compiled, which would give details of wills. It is a good idea and one with which we are all in agreement.

Concerns have been raised, most notably by the Law Society of Ireland, none of which is insurmountable. The proposal being put forward this afternoon whereby we take some time to tease out the issues that have been raised by the Law Society of Ireland, among others, is welcome. It is not about the speed of legislation passing through both Houses; it is about the quality of that legislation and ensuring that we get the result we all require.

Having spoken to Terry Leyden on many occasions on this piece of legislation and as recently as today, his goal was that it would go through but that it would do so in a manner that would have benefit for those who would be affected by that legislation. That would be my key goal and principle in that regard. I understand the Minister is proposing this and that she was given a bit of space in order to arrest those issues. Knowing the Minister as long as I have, I have no doubt that she will. I accept her bona fides in that regard 100%. I have no doubt that within nine months or even before that, she will be back in this House where we can take what is, at the moment, nothing more than a good idea and attach it and make it workable for everybody concerned.

In that regard, I am quite happy to support the motion being put forward. I commend Senator Boyhan. I listened to his passionate contribution earlier with regard to wills, land and the connection we all have to land. Like the Minister, I was born and reared on a small farm. We can all appreciate the connection people have with that land and with property.

In summary, I thank the Acting Chairperson for the opportunity to say a few words. I am happy to support this legislation, as I was when Terry Leyden brought it forward. I understand it is the exact same piece of legislation. I was delighted to support it then and I am delighted to support it now. As I said, my only goal is to ensure we have quality legislation going through in a timeframe we can all live with. I am sure we will get that. I look forward to the Minister's contribution after other Members have had the opportunity to have theirs.