Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

It is not the approach of this Government that it will automatically vote down or ride roughshod over constructive or workable proposals contained in a Private Members' Bill to address an issue that genuinely needs to be addressed.

In thanking Deputy Donnelly I encourage Members on all sides, including my many colleagues from the Fine Gael Party and Labour Party who contributed to this debate, to bring forward proposals with regard to Private Members' Bills. As we move through this year, we will see the extent to which the reforms that have been implemented in this area work. We need to look at whether additional time or days should be made available to ensure there is not an accumulation of Private Members' Bills which have not had an opportunity to be aired in the House.

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