Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)

I wholeheartedly commend Senator Andrews on bringing this Bill forward. We are so delighted to support him. Socioeconomic background is something that is not factored into the grounds of discrimination. We know so many people in both our society and our community, who are living in socioeconomic deprivation. I have been a victim of that too. I am in rural Ireland but come from a council house, so there has been discrimination around that. It is something people cannot control. I echo what Senator Boyhan said, that this is not going to be a trend experienced by the Opposition where very good legislation that has been given time and has been read is continually pushed back. We in the Opposition have brought forward very good legislation. It seems to be a trend that it keeps getting pushed back when it comes from the Opposition benches. I cannot fathom how something as complex as parole can be pushed back six months for a second time but something that has been in the Chambers through the years is pushed back 12 months. I hope that does not continue. I again thank Senator Andrews for bringing it forward.