I am happy to support the Bill. Although we differed on certain aspects of the Bill, nevertheless I am happy to support the Minister in bringing equality into applications for citizenship. I hope that the Minister — or any future Minister — will bear in mind the points made here, especially in relation to the waiting period of three years. The Minister said she was hopeful that a future Minister will take a sympathetic and compassionate view of bona fide circumstances which arise in this period. I trust that this will be the case and I appeal to any Minister dealing with this measure in future to take such a compassionate and sympathetic view of the three year waiting period, especially when one of the partners dies and the other wishes to remain in the country. An assurance should be given at the earliest possible stage to the partner who remains here after a death that the position in relation to citizenship will not be in question and that an application will be treated very favourably. I hope this will be the approach.
Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill: Fifth Stage.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
I would like to thank Deputy Woods for the manner in which he conducted the debate and for the helpful proposals that were put. I am glad we had time to reflect on them and accept a number of the points made. I thought Deputy Woods would bring up the question of publicity this morning, but he did not. With regard to the necessity for publicity and information on this legislation, there will be a six months interim after the enactment of the legislation which both the existing legislation and the new legislation will be in effect. It is important that the relatives of all the people themselves living here should be notified of this position. It is my intention to take advertisements if I feel that is necessary.
Question put and agreed to.