Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I endorse what the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Browne, has said. I thank him and the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, for their co-operation with the Bill. I also thank the departmental officials who did an excellent job with an extremely complex Bill. There was a significant amount of lobbying regarding it.

The legislation is dramatically different from that originally published. This is the proper way that legislation should be brought through the Oireachtas. Consultation must take place following a Bill's publication. Credit must be given to the Minister for Agriculture and Food on the advice that was provided by her officials. When the legislation went before the Seanad, a number of significant issues were flagged which the Minister took on board. To her credit and that of her officials, when the Bill came before this House — traditionally it can be very difficult to have amendments accepted when the Bill is passing through the second House — the Minister was flexible in accepting reasonable amendments. Credit is due to all involved in this dramatically improved Bill. There will be significant battles in the next couple of months with the animal health Bill where many of the issues raised with the Veterinary Practice Bill will again be raised. I thank all those involved in the enactment of the Bill.

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