Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

The collegiality that exists on this side of the House should be added to. I fully agree with the points made by Deputy Howlin. His amendment would lead to improvement. That the legislation does not apply in certain other cases is not necessarily a good basis on which to refuse to accept his amendment. This area of legislation can be much more sensitive than other areas of legislation and the extent to which interests may be of importance in one way or another may only become known in certain circumstances that arise as time passes.

Having said that, I do not see the harm in the amendment. It can only improve the Bill. I have not heard any statement by the Minister of State, other than the reference to other bodies, which indicates the amendment would in any way weaken, damage or bring the legislation into disrepute.

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