Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much appreciate the work the committee did when we published the heads of the Bill and I read with great interest the committee's proceedings and the report it produced. The fact that we were able to have a smooth Committee Stage debate is indicative of the value of that type of input before we publish a Bill. I am looking forward to similar input in other areas and in that context, I acknowledge that I have asked the committee to undertake a lot of work. I thank the committee for the work it is doing. It is really valuable that Deputies, at an early stage, can contribute to the drafting and publication of Bills, rather than simply being confronted by them, as a substantially completed project, when they are presented by Government. This early input will ensure that we will have far better legislation enacted by the House. I am very grateful for the work of the committee and thank Members for their co-operation in completing Committee Stage. I am very anxious to enact this Bill as soon as possible.

I intend to follow up the issues I promised we would follow up. At the earliest possible opportunity thereafter we will try to arrange to take Report Stage in the House.