Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)

I had the experience of chairing Committee Stage of this Bill. We had a vigorous and a mostly positive discussion for approximately eight hours. I compliment the people who contributed to it and acknowledge the positive contributions made by Deputy Collins, Deputy Ó Cuív and Deputy Stanley. I particularly acknowledge their contribution because they succeeded with amendments that were brought forward. I also compliment the Minister because there was compromise and give and take, and I have no doubt that the Bill will be much better as a result of that. I hope this continues today.

I would like to correct some inaccuracies and statements made by Deputy McGrath about my chairing of Committee Stage. I would like to point out the facts, because I do not want to be misrepresented. At that meeting, a total of 13 amendments were ruled out of order, nine of which were due to a charge to Revenue. Deputy McGrath said that all-----

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