John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I did not get a chance to echo the thanks to Senator Frances Black. We look forward to her testimony tomorrow, and that of other witnesses. I thank the Senator for all the work she has done in bringing us to this stage. This is the calmest discussion I have experienced in many a year on the topic of what we have come to know as the occupied territories Bill. I thank everybody for the respectful way in which they have conducted themselves and particularly in relation to keeping it civil. There will be lots of opportunities to ask political questions of other witnesses. As civil servants, and as very senior civil servants, the witnesses' chief job is to be apprised of as many of the facts the Government needs. In that sense I was very impressed with the manner in which they have conducted themselves, so I thank them. I may not agree with everything they have said. The witnesses will take away to their Minister - he knows this already - a number of things. There is a wide and strong view in the committee that services should be included. Speed is a piece also. We are also cognisant that the Irish Government is the first government to propose such legislation. This is not lost on the committee either. Mr. Smyth and Mr. Keown have our thanks for giving so much of their time so professionally. There is lots of food for thought. There are complicated issues here and very clear issues the committee has to consider.