Eileen Flynn (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State, the Department and the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. I know this will be changing after my conversation on the phone yesterday evening with the Minister, who thanked us in the Civil Engagement Group for our work.

I thank from the bottom of my heart my three colleagues in the Civil Engagement Group, and all of their personal assistants, as well, for their work in respect of this important legislation.

I get what Senator Kelleher said about it not being a question of the Government accepting our work, but, at the end of the day, we worked hard on this Bill for the past three and a half years. The Government would not even be thinking of this Bill if our work had not been done.

I repeat that this is not the first time for the Government to run with legislation that the Civil Engagement Group has drafted. Being a Traveller activist for many years, to a certain extent I do not care who does the work once it gets done. The day that the Minister brings this through the Dáil, I will be there and I will be supporting him from the bottom of my heart and thanking him on behalf of all of the victims of child sexual abuse in this country.

We are leaders in this area. I have people such as Ministers in Australia and Canada coming to me looking for our advice.

This comes under the UN Convention as well. It is something that the Government has to do. For us, as the Civil Engagement Group, just like with the occupied territories Bill and other legislation, it is still a win, if you want. However, it does not impact on me. I am 36 years of age. It impacts on survivors. It impacts on children of this country today.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank the Minister of State and the Department for bringing forward their own legislation, which came about as a result of the work of our group.