Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

This came to fruition during the debate and in another forum. The momentum gathered and I said I would stand back. If there is a better way, I try to work with it if it is possible to do so. It has caused some delay but the consensus is that it was better to establish the new authority from scratch and appoint the interim chief executive officer, who is already working away on getting things in place.

The amendments should be ready early in the new year and we can then start the debate early in the new session. I have set a deadline of the end of next year's first session for the Bill passing through both Houses and establishing the body on a statutory basis.

See this speech in context