Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I take the point the Bill will be large and complex. Does the Minister of State see the merit in consulting the spokespersons from the Opposition parties with a view to progressing the agenda, either by making himself or his civil servants available? Thus, when the debate is held in the Dáil — I take the point on long Committee Stages — some measure of agreement will have been reached on some areas in advance. Obviously, there will be some areas regarding which agreement will not be reached. This side of the House would be co-operative in dealing with this vital legislation. If there are ways of shortening its passage through the Dáil and Seanad, we should avail of them. In spite of what I heard from the Minister of State, I am concerned the Government will have left office before the legislation can be passed in the Oireachtas.

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