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Background

• In 2005 Senator Terry Leyden made history by ensuring the taking in the Seanad of a Private Members’ Bill introduced by a Government Member of the House.
• The Bill was approved unanimously by the Fianna Fáil Senators and the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party at a meeting attended by the Taoiseach, and all Ministers, including the Chief Whip, Deputy Tom Kitt.
• As Minister of State Leyden, he had brought some Bills through the Seanad but they were provided by the Civil Service, they were never Private Members’ Bills. So what happened on Wednesday 9th of November 2005 was historic and set a precedent for legislation.
• In introducing the Bill Senator Leyden asserted it was of universal importance, was not a party political issue and would benefit the majority of people.
• It had come to Senator Leyden’s attention that many people have been deprived of their rightful inheritance by the lack of a will or the inability to find the will of a family member.
• They have been done a great disservice by the State and this Bill is the only way to rectify the situation.
• When Senator Leyden returned to the Oireachtas other cases came to his attention where wills had allegedly been made but not found.
• In 2004, he pointed out how some 5,400 wills were probated in Ireland but more than 28,000 people died. This significant shortfall demonstrates his point — many people do not make wills.
• Many make private wills but these are normally held with their papers and documents.
• The only individuals required to register a will are Catholic clergy. Every Catholic cleric must leave a copy of his will in the possession of the bishop.
• There is no requirement on the solicitors registered in this country who execute and make wills to provide lists that would be held in a central bona fide registry such as the General Register Office in Roscommon.
• At present, a person makes a will with a solicitor who records it in his or her book of wills and the document is held in the legal firm’s safe deposit box. The Law Society Gazette regularly advertises requests for the whereabouts of wills that have been mislaid, are missing or cannot be found. Many people who would otherwise be entitled to inheritances from wills have been deprived.
• Senator Leyden quoted Jack Lemmon, ‘“Death ends a life, not a relationship”. There are pages and pages of people searching for lost wills in the Law Society Gazette in the hope that their loved one made a will. Many people make wills not knowing that sometimes they may not be executed correctly or at all. It is a unique situation where the purchaser of this service has no after-sales come back. We have a responsibility to ensure that citizen’s wishes are honoured and given the proper legal recognition they deserve.

A pleasure to meet Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh today in Leinster House who was addressing #SeanadÉireann to mark Bliain na Gaeilge #oireachtas

Speech: Link not active 

Conference: Responding to Brexit - business opportunities, trade priorities and the future of the Irish border

Delegates discussed the Irish Government’s perspective on Brexit, the second round of Brexit negotiations and the Government’s  IFS2020 strategy.  

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Meeting with President of Republic of Slovenia National Assembly Dr.Milan Brglez, with Ambassador to UK & Ireland Mr.Tadej Rupel MSc,Deputy Anja Bah Zibert & Deputy Branko Zorman with Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann,Deputies and Senators.

Senator Terry Leyden was Appointed as Convenor of Friends  of Slovenia  in Oireachtas.

In addition to Committee Members, the photo includes:

Minister Helen McEntee @HMcEntee

and vising Députée Valérie Gomez-Bassac @VGB83 from the French National Assembly.

I regret  the offence  caused to Women’s rugby by my recent comments. I have been contacted by a number of people regarding the participation of Women in Rugby and realise that my point of view was ill informed.

I have been made aware of many excellent initiatives  around the country including one that was recently launched in County Roscommon, a partnership between Connaught Rugby, Creggs RFC and Roscommon County Council with the co-funding of a Club Community Rugby officer which will enhance the development of Rugby in Roscommon.  Michael Glennon, Club Community Rugby Officer is visiting schools, communities and individuals to increase the profile and impact of the game at a local level and making it accessible to all. 


The initiative has been rolled out in a number of schools including my local primary school, Fuerty N.S. where both boys and girls are getting to experience and enjoy Rugby, some are trying it out for the first time. There is a very successful and active Rugby Club nearby in Creggs.

Recently there was a Rugby Blitz on the playing pitches in the grounds of Donamon Castle with boys and girls from local primary schools playing against each other.  I want to recognise the work of volunteer coaches up and down the country that have been fostering the participation of boys and girls in sport, including in the sport of Rugby.  I realise that we need to support the participation of children and young people in all sports and activities in the interest of their health and well being.


I have also been made aware by several people of the recent decision by The IRFU to downgrade the position of Ireland Women's team head coach to a 6-month-contract on a part-time, casual basis. I fully support all players and this week, players both male and female across Ireland and the UK are wearing wristbands that read 'LEGACY', calling into question the legacy the IRFU want to leave women's rugby with, just after hosting the World Cup.

I fully support the legacy campaign.#legacy