Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, echo the words of our Leader and Senator Daly on the passing of Vicky Phelan. As Fine Gael spokesperson on health, and having the privilege to be a member of the Joint Committee on Health, I am even more cognisant of the impact that Vicky's campaigning, and the terrible tragedy that happened to her, had in terms of positive change. That positive change certainly has a long way to go. The best way we can pay tribute to Vicky Phelan's legacy is to get the disclosures legislation over the line. I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach has announced that this will happen before the Christmas recess. That is very welcome, even though it is late. It should have happened before now but the fact it will now happen is the best way we can pay tribute to Vicky Phelan.

We could also pay tribute to her through the setting up of an Oireachtas committee on dying with dignity, an issue that she campaigned for and had a great interest in. We have looked at setting up citizens' assemblies on matters such as biodiversity. While these matters are important, health and dying with dignity are far more important. I cannot for the life of me understand why we would delay setting up a committee to engage in this issue, hear all sides and come back with recommendations on what should happen. These are the tangible ways that the Oireachtas, the Seanad and society can pay tribute to Vicky's legacy and the tremendous work she did. I take great solace from the fact that she spent much of her quiet time in County Clare, on Doughmore beach in Doonbeg, and that she got great peace from Doughmore and west Clare. West Clare will always have a connection with Vicky Phelan because she spent so much quality time there.

I propose that we observe a minute's silence for Vicky Phelan, perhaps tomorrow, and that we notify all Members of it in order that as many people as possible who would like to be here for it would be in a position to attend. Perhaps a good time to do it would be at the conclusion of the Order of Business tomorrow.