Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I considered this amendment, which the Deputy tendered previously. Senator Tuffy, on behalf of the Labour Party, tabled a similar amendment in the Seanad. I have accommodated it as far as I can. I went back, through my officials, to the Parliamentary Counsel, who felt that if we took the route suggested by the amendment, a game of ping-pong would start that would prove unsatisfactory. Having given it very careful consideration as promised, we are satisfied that the draftsman's wording is best.

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