Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I might also say a word. I commend the Minister and her Department on the considerable body of work that has been undertaken. I fully appreciate that there are a number of recommendations in respect of law reform and legislation on the Statute Book going back so far that it makes our courts process not just time-consuming but expensive. When one reforms Bills, as has been done in this committee on many occasions over my almost 12 years in the House, it is always important to consolidate, insofar as we can, the legalisation on the books. The Chair will undoubtedly know from his practice how convoluted that can be. The Department has, in recent times, gone to some lengths to consolidate legislation, and it is important to bear that in mind. I fully appreciate what the Minister said about additional items being included in what was a much smaller Bill when it was initiated.

This is a point I make from time to time because it is worth making. Consolidated Bills make for better law because they make for better implementation and a clearer pathway to, in this instance, justice, and that is in everybody's interest. I commend the Minister, her colleagues and the Department on all the work they have done.