Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Browne, for taking amendments yesterday and today. He has been co-operative in moving the Bill through the House. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, took on board a large number of amendments after the Bill was passed by the Seanad, and that is appreciated by all Members of this House. I realise how much work the Department officials put into this long Bill. There have been significant changes since 1931 and we now recognise there are vast improvements. The legislation was overdue. This is a complex area and much work remains to be done in the area of animal health. I thank everyone involved for their co-operation with the Bill.

See this speech in context