Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I extend sympathy on behalf of the Labour Party group to the city of Boston and the families of those who were killed and injured in the horrific bombing during the marathon on Monday. We were all appalled and shocked to see the footage and read about the devastation caused by the bombing. We all share the hope that the perpetrators of the massacre will be swiftly brought to justice. I know that enormous resources are being brought to bear in that pursuit in Boston.

On a more positive note, I commend the Government for accepting the Private Members' legislation brought forward last night to lift the Statute of Limitations for the survivors of symphysiotomy.

It was great to see the survivors, most of whom are elderly, in the Visitors Gallery and who will be able to benefit from the legislation. It is good that the other House should take on board Private Members' Bills and allow them to pass through Second Stage. It is welcome that the Government will take on that legislation in aid of the survivors of symphysiotomy which is long overdue. It is great to see it finally moved on a cross-party basis.

On another matter that has cross-party support, I welcome the decision of the Constitutional Convention, of which I am a member, at the weekend which voted by a 79% majority in support of calling on the Government to hold a referendum on the right to marriage equality, that is, the right to marriage for same sex or gay couples. There was enormous support for it at the convention. That report will go to the Government and we look forward to a referendum on the issue in due course.

In regard to the vote on Croke Park II, it is important that the unions and the Government have time to reflect on the outcome. Many unions may wish to preserve some of the core elements of the package in respect of the protection of core pay for members earning less than €65,000. That was an important aspect of the agreement. It is important to note that some sectoral agreements were conducted, for example, with the Prison Officers Association. There are complex issues involved for those unions and for unions on both sides whose members either supported or rejected the agreement. It is important to have time to reflect as we await the response from the unions and, in turn, the Government's response.

I am disappointed the matter I wished to raise on the Adjournment was not taken as it was lodged before some of the others that were accepted.

I welcome the Government's acceptance of the cross-party Private Members' Bill, along with Senator Ivana Bacik, to set aside the Statute of Limitations for the survivors of symphysiotomy. I am aware from the debate in the House last May that many Senators advocated this position. It is a horror story which I have followed closely as a member of the victims of symphysiotomy all-party support group. I pay tribute to the survivors, their families and supporters and those who advocated and campaigned tirelessly on their behalf. I pay tribute to Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, convenor of the all-party group, whose determination and commitment to seek justice for the survivors has kept the issue firmly on the Oireachtas agenda. While I do not condone the length of time it has taken to get here, this is how things should be done. It has restored my faith in consensus politics and how we can work together to achieve good. While the agreement by the Government to support the Bill through Second Stage is welcome, I ask the Leader to urge the Government to begin actively engaging with the survivors and their representative groups to address their immediate health and support needs and, in parallel, to put a structure in place that will ensure redress.

I wish to raise the plight of the 32 thalidomide survivors. At an Oireachtas briefing they shared some of their specific support needs. Regrettably, they are being shunted between Departments. I ask the Leader to urge the Government to engage with them and their representative groups at the earliest opportunity.

On Monday, in response to the publication of the European Commission's report on trafficking in human beings, I called on the Government to transpose immediately the EU anti-trafficking directive into national legislation. This was due to be done by 6 April. The directive has the potential to impact significantly on the lives of trafficked victims and will help prevent others from falling victim to this heinous crime. I welcome the publication yesterday of the criminal law human trafficking Bill to give effect to certain provisions of the EU anti-trafficking directive. I look forward to comparing the Bill against the directive and hope to find all the necessary elements incorporated. Significantly, the Bill defines forced labour in accordance with ILO convention 29. This is something I have called for in the past and I welcome its inclusion. I ask the Leader to commend the Government for initiating the Bill in this House.

I welcome the appointment of the members designate of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. They are of fine calibre and will bring extensive expertise to their role. I hope a suitable chair can be found at the earliest opportunity.