Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her engagement on this Bill. I reiterate the point made by Senators Zappone and van Turnhout. I is always a proud moment when a Senator has an amendment accepted. I have had this experience on a small number of occasions. It is a measure of a good and engaged Minister that she was willing to take amendments, reconstruct them and incorporate the principles involved in a Government amendment that is then shared with the Independent Senators. I commend her as it strengthens the legislative process when Ministers are willing to act in this manner.

We all appreciate the engagement shown by the Minister on this amendment and another amendment tabled by Senators Zappone and van Turnhout on Committee Stage related to the referral to the joint committee. While the amendment was not appropriate, we all appreciated that the principle was incorporated in a different amendment.