Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and members of the select sub-committee for the manner in which we have dealt with this important legislation, the Local Government Bill 2013. In particular, I thank the main Opposition spokespersons, Deputies Barry Cowen, Catherine Murphy and Brian Stanley, for their constructive engagement in these matters. We have a number of pieces of unfinished business before Report Stage. I thank my officials who worked very hard during the past two and a half years to reach the stage of drafting a Bill that reflected the debate on Second Stage and the representations made by the representative organisations of the various stakeholders in the local government system. I appreciate the efficient manner in which the debate on the Bill has been conducted.