Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I thank everybody who has worked on this Bill. An awful lot of work went into this and it has been ongoing for a number of years. I thank all of the officials in the Department who have worked on it, as well as officials in the Law Reform Commission, who have given a lot of their time. Blood, sweat and tears went into this. It has been a huge insight into history as well. It is really nice that we have been able to capture a lot of those historical and interesting times in the Seanad and the Dáil. Many of Members are particularly interested in seeing laws that pertain to their own constituency or county. It has been a real trip down memory lane.

I particularly thank Senator Victor Boyhan for his work on the amendments to the Bill, the Genealogical Society of Ireland and, as I have said, my officials. It is rather technical legislation, but it is important and necessary. It is important from a public governance reform perspective and because it reduces the regulatory burden on businesses and citizens. It is also important because it aligns our legal system with contemporary realities. It will also ensure that our Statute Book is significantly more modern and will enhance public accessibility to the laws that govern our people as they go about their business in their daily lives. I am very pleased to have been able to take this Bill through the House on behalf of all of those who worked to bring it to this point.