Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the members of the committee, both today and on the previous occasions, for engaging with the Bill and for some of the interesting discussions we have had. It is important to use this forum to enable amendments that are suggested from outside this House to be teased out. I would be of the view that simply because a Deputy is handed an amendment, it does not necessarily mean he or she should automatically table it. It has been a very useful opportunity to tease through aspects of the Bill. It is part of the process of ensuring we get the best possible legislation at the end of the day.

I have already referred to some areas in which we will introduce further amendments on Report Stage. In dealing with some issues on Report Stage, particularly dealing with limited liability issues we may need to recommit the Bill so that there is adequate time to discuss them. I will also try to ensure that our Report Stage amendments are published in reasonable time so that people have an opportunity to consider them and consult on them. They should have more than adequate opportunity to identify the issues on which they should kick me around, obviously in a constructive and helpful way so as to ensure that at the end of it all we get really good legislation.