Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I agree with Senator Davitt and thank him. His interest in this area is very practical and focused. It is a do-good approach. Since getting to know him in the House nearly five years ago I see his approach in action. The respect he has for people and the manner in which he goes about his business, in a quiet and unassuming way but very focused in terms of delivery, is something I have come to admire and respect greatly.

Since the Minister of State came into the Department two years ago, she certainly has made a difference. She is a straight talker. That is what is needed. Sometimes people who talk straight get into trouble. I know it myself. She must keep talking straight and when she gets into trouble it means she is actually doing something right. I am often baffled by these largely technical Bills but functions are moving from the Department of Health to another Department and legislation is needed to give effect and recognition to that.

Speaking of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I have to mention my friend and colleague, Senator Seery Kearney. I congratulate her on the work she has done in respect of surrogacy.We have seen considerable focus on it, unfortunately, over recent months. However, what Senator Seery Kearney has been doing in this area has been going on long before there was an issue in Ukraine. This is her area now as it moves from health to disability. Senator Seery Kearney is a champion and straight talker, like the Minister of State, and gets things done. We are here to get things done. That is the reason we are elected to this House. Sometimes, it can be frustratingly slow.

That is the point I will make about this Bill. We are almost halfway through this Oireachtas term and this legislation is only coming before us now. Why does a technical Bill take so long? Why in the name of God could this not have been done within six months of going into government? We all knew that disability was moving to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Minister of State knew it, but unfortunately, for the past two years, she has had to work to manage two Departments. She knew disability would go to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and that she had to work with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. At the same time, her senior, essentially, was the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. It was a no man's land to some extent. In that scenario, all of the providers, support staff and civil servants down the line know they will move to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth but do not know when it will happen. That type of bubble creates uncertainty and a certain lethargy because people will move Department. It tends to slow things down and even grind them to a halt.

In doing her job, the Minister of State is pushing up a hill because this Bill has not been passed. However, when we do pass it, and we will do so, the Minister of State will start motoring in a straight line and achieve much more. The frustrations she has experienced over recent years will, it is hoped, evaporate.

Why in the name of God can we, as an Oireachtas, not be a little bit more efficient in the way we do our business? What is the reason? I do not expect the Minister of State to have the answer to this.