Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank my colleagues on both sides of the House for their contributions to this debate. The motion is timely and it is appropriate, following the debates of last week, that the House should focus on an issue such as that referred to by my party leader, Deputy Kenny.

I congratulate Deputies O'Dowd, Naughten, Olivia Mitchell and Bruton on making a major contribution to our policy in this area. I presume it has been replicated on the Government side because one needs the co-operation of the various ministries in respect of further policy in this area.

Let me correct one or two of the points made. While the Government speakers spent ages downgrading, decrying and denigrating the Fine Gael policy, and while they must have spent the past few weeks examining it, it is a pity they did not read it very carefully.

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