Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I concur with the remarks made by my colleagues. I thank the Minister for completing this legislation which is another notch on his belt. I also thank his officials for their efforts and the work they put into the Bill. Its complexity has been evidenced by the lengthy debates in this and the other House on amendments, etc.

On a personal note, I thank the Minister for co-operating with me in my work as my party's spokesman on justice in this House. I wish him the best in his retirement which I am sure will be productive. I envy him, in one sense, as we are in the same age category. We did our legal training during the same period. I am starting my political career, subject to conventions and surmounting other difficult obstacles and hurdles. I hope the Minister is moving into the sunset of his political career. I mean that in a positive way and hope he will have a happy retirement. I do not doubt that he will enjoy the benefits of his wife and family in the future. When push comes to shove, other matters are as important as politics. If I made one mistake in life, it is that I sometimes neglected those who were near and dear to me. One's family, in particular, can suffer. I wish the Minister the very best.